Sommers, Left Field, Baltimore Orioles, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

Curator: This albumen print, dating back to 1888, presents Sommers, the Left Fielder for the Baltimore Orioles, from the "Old Judge" series produced by Goodwin & Company. These were inserted into cigarette packs. Editor: The first thing that strikes me is the rather ethereal, almost dreamlike quality, enhanced by the muted sepia tones. It has a wonderful depth with the out-of-focus background contrasting with Sommers. Curator: Yes, the image quality reflects the print production limitations of the period. But consider this—baseball cards like these did more than just advertise cigarettes. They contributed significantly to the burgeoning celebrity culture and commercialization of sports. It's interesting that it’s held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and not a museum of sports or popular culture. Editor: You're right; looking closer, there's a real compositional focus here. Sommers's hands reaching towards the top edge creates tension. It's not just a static portrait; his upward gaze almost defies the constraints of the rectangular card itself, don't you think? Curator: Indeed. The framing, necessitated by its intended commercial purpose, ironically became part of its artistic identity, encapsulating an era. It reflects the Victorian era's increasing fascination with fame, consumerism, and leisure. It speaks volumes about baseball's rapid ascendance to the national pastime. Editor: It's curious; he looks so serious. His outfit almost makes it appear to be some kind of solemn undertaking. Considering that "Old Judge Cigarettes" are footing the bill, shouldn't there be a sense of merriment or fun? Curator: His somber demeanor speaks to the professionalization of the sport and perhaps even an understanding of what it meant to be an advertising agent, endorsing “Old Judge Cigarettes." It’s also very indicative of formal Victorian photography. Editor: Food for thought. The image serves as a capsule that perfectly captures a moment where sport, commerce, and photographic representation converged. Curator: Precisely. We’re able to glimpse baseball's crucial transformation within late 19th-century America. Editor: The longer you examine it, the more fascinating it becomes.