Purcell, 1st Base, Philadelphia Athletics, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This albumen silver print was produced by Goodwin & Company in the late 1880s as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. The image depicts Purcell, a first baseman for the Philadelphia Athletics, and served as a promotional insert within cigarette packs. In the late 19th century, baseball cards became a marketing tool, reflecting the rising popularity of the sport and the burgeoning consumer culture in America. These cards, like many forms of ephemera, offer a fascinating glimpse into the social values and commercial strategies of their time. The Old Judge series is especially interesting, as it highlights how photography was being used in new ways to connect with consumers. To understand this card, we can explore newspaper archives, company records, and baseball history. Through this, we see not only a piece of baseball history, but also the broader cultural landscape of a nation embracing both sport and consumerism.