Smith, Pitcher, Baltimore Orioles, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This photographic print of Smith, a baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles, was made around 1888 by Goodwin & Company as a promotional item for Old Judge Cigarettes. This image, made using albumen, a photographic process that used egg whites to bind the photographic chemicals to the paper, was a cutting-edge technique that was also fairly inexpensive. The material qualities of the print - its small size and relative disposability - speak to its intended function as a collectible item included in cigarette packs. The mass production of these cards reflects the rise of consumer culture and the use of celebrity endorsements to promote products. Though perhaps not considered fine art at the time, the image speaks volumes about the intersection of sport, industry, and visual culture in late 19th-century America. Looking at this mass-produced object invites us to reconsider the categories of art, craft, and ephemera, and to recognize the cultural significance embedded in everyday materials.