Jack "Peach Pie" O'Connor, Catcher, Cincinnati, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

Editor: Here we have "Jack 'Peach Pie' O'Connor, Catcher, Cincinnati," a baseball card from 1888. It was created by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge Cigarettes, made using photography printed on, presumably, cardboard. I find the sepia tone and the way he’s crouched ready to catch really nostalgic and kind of adorable, almost Chaplin-esque. What catches your eye in this piece? Curator: Chaplin-esque, I love that! For me, it’s the stark simplicity. Imagine a world without constant imagery. This small card wasn’t just a portrait; it was access, a tangible piece of a larger-than-life figure. Don’t you find it fascinating how mass-produced objects like these became so intimate, how it connects an image of athleticism to the scent of tobacco, an entire world packed in something you flick away or cherish? What story does it conjure for you? Editor: Well, besides a very clear marketing strategy (laughs), I imagine kids saving these up, trading them… a kind of early fandom, wouldn't you say? It feels very removed from our present sports mania, though. Curator: Exactly! It was about more than just the game; it was about belonging, sharing heroes. These cards, in a way, democratized celebrity, turning baseball players into everyday icons. Though, those everyday icons were endorsing tobacco products – slightly awkward, when we’re speaking from the twenty-first century! Editor: A bit! It's funny to consider something so small holding such a large cultural weight. The more things change… Curator: Absolutely. It speaks volumes, or should I say pictures, about desire, collecting, and what we choose to hold on to. A powerful snapshot.