Marcus Elmore "Fido" Baldwin, Pitcher, Cleveland, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This is a photograph of Marcus Elmore “Fido” Baldwin, a baseball pitcher for Cleveland, made in 1887 by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge Cigarettes. These cards were originally produced as trade cards and were inserted into cigarette packs as a marketing strategy. The late 19th century was a time of growing commercialism and burgeoning consumer culture. As businesses sought new ways to promote their products, they began to associate them with the growing popularity of sports. This card is a small but telling example of that phenomenon. Consider also the Metropolitan Museum's role in preserving what was once ephemera. The museum's institutional validation gives value and establishes the cultural significance of what might otherwise be seen as a mere advertisement. To fully appreciate the meaning of this image, we can consult a wide range of resources, from baseball archives to marketing histories, gaining insights into the culture of the time and the social forces that shaped it.