Anthony John "Tony" Mullane, Pitcher, Cincinnati, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This is a baseball card of pitcher Tony Mullane of Cincinnati, made around 1888 by Goodwin & Company, as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. These cards emerged as a novel form of advertising, strategically packaged with cigarettes to boost sales and encourage collecting. The sepia-toned photograph captures Mullane in mid-pitch, his gaze fixed, embodying the era's romanticized view of athleticism. The card itself provides more than just an image; it presents a snapshot of late 19th-century American culture, where baseball was rapidly gaining popularity. The institution of baseball at the time was intertwined with industrial growth and commercial innovation, seen here in its symbiotic relationship with the tobacco industry. Looking at this artifact, we can start to uncover the layers of meaning behind it, and understand the values and aspirations of the time. This understanding requires careful archival work, examining business records, sports journalism, and visual culture to reveal the complex interplay between commerce, sport, and identity in the making of modern America.