Swartwood, Right Field, Brooklyn, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887 - 1890

Editor: This is "Swartwood, Right Field, Brooklyn," from the Old Judge series, a photograph made by Goodwin & Company between 1887 and 1890. It's intriguing that such an ordinary moment, a player catching a ball, was captured in this sepia tone for a cigarette card. What do you find most significant about this piece? Curator: I see this object as a fascinating intersection of commerce, sport, and early photographic practices. Consider the social context: the late 19th century witnessed the rise of both baseball as America’s pastime and the mass production of consumer goods, including cigarettes. The Old Judge series exemplifies how companies used imagery to promote their products, embedding themselves in the everyday lives and cultural interests of the public. Editor: That makes a lot of sense. It was like advertising as part of a hobby! Curator: Exactly! And while seemingly straightforward, these cards shaped the perception of baseball players and the sport itself. This portrait of Swartwood elevates him. It also visually connects tobacco use with the burgeoning ideal of American athleticism. This card isn't just about selling cigarettes; it's about crafting an image, a narrative, and ultimately, a market. How might its original placement, within a cigarette pack, affected its perception, do you think? Editor: Well, seeing this daily, connecting a figure with such athleticism with cigarettes must have created interesting cultural associations. I'd never considered how promotional material shapes public perceptions like that. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, it is in these small objects that we find larger reflections of societal values and power structures. I find it particularly remarkable that something designed to be so disposable can offer such rich historical insight today.