Hines, Right Field, St. Louis Whites, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

Curator: Before us, we have a gelatin silver print from 1888 by Goodwin & Company, titled "Hines, Right Field, St. Louis Whites, from the Old Judge series for Old Judge Cigarettes." Editor: It’s striking how the sepia tone lends a timeless quality to the image. There’s also an interesting contrast between the clarity of the figure and the more diffused, almost impressionistic, background. Curator: Indeed, Goodwin & Company appears to be strategically employing a tension between realism and artifice, reflecting trends in photography during this era. The composition isolates the figure, Hines, emphasizing form. Observe the way the framing accentuates his posture; the semiotics of the arm position, suggesting an ambiguous reception or call. Editor: Thinking about the context, this piece feels intrinsically linked to the rise of baseball and commercial culture at the time. Imagine how these cards functioned, tucked inside cigarette packs. They offered working-class fans not only a moment of pleasure but also a connection to these emerging sports icons. This particular card for Hines reflects an intriguing intersection between tobacco advertising, sport, and celebrity culture. Curator: Exactly. By engaging viewers' desire, these collectibles blur the line between subject, spectator, and commodity. Consider also the print’s surface, distressed yet iconic. Editor: The photograph is not just an image but a cultural artifact that speaks volumes about American society in the late 19th century. Sport, business, photography itself was evolving and democratizing. Curator: Through a contemporary lens, the piece acts almost as a microcosm of industrial development. The athlete embodies labor turned spectacle. Editor: Agreed. It really encapsulates that transitional moment in America’s cultural development so succinctly. Curator: It is amazing how formal photographic arrangements such as this reveal so many layers within the structure and function of historical narrative.