Radford, Right Field, Brooklyn Bridegrooms, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This is a baseball card of Radford, Right Field for the Brooklyn Bridegrooms, made by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge Cigarettes in the late 19th century. It’s a photographic print, a new medium at the time being harnessed for commercial purposes. Baseball cards emerged alongside the rise of professional baseball, reflecting America’s growing fascination with sports and celebrity culture. More than just advertisements, these cards helped construct the image of baseball players, turning them into heroes. Consider how Radford is posed, ready to throw, embodying action and athleticism. The Old Judge Cigarettes branding connects the player's prowess to the consumer, implying that smoking their product would give consumers the same vigor and prowess of a sportsman like Radford. Understanding this image requires looking into the history of baseball, advertising, and photographic reproduction in America. Resources like team records, advertising archives, and photographic journals are useful. Ultimately, this baseball card reminds us that art and commerce have always been intertwined.