Frank Edward Hankinson, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887 - 1890

Curator: This albumen print from around 1887-1890 depicts Frank Edward Hankinson, a baseball player, as part of the "Old Judge Cigarettes" series. Editor: What immediately strikes me is the tight composition. The sepia tones lend it an antique solemnity, focusing attention intensely on Hankinson's features and neatly groomed mustache. Curator: Indeed. The composition is strategic, maximizing the limited space of the card format. Note how the name "Hankinson" is inscribed below, mirroring the placement of the "Old Judge Cigarettes" logo above. It all seems designed for ease of reading at a small scale. Editor: The albumen print medium lends the photograph a richness in tonal range, subtly articulating the planes of his face. One might consider it as more than mere photographic recording; it evokes a hand-drawn portrait, idealizing the sitter's image through light and shadow. The effect contributes to its commodification, inviting consumption on multiple levels. Curator: Precisely. Produced by Goodwin & Company, the card's intention becomes apparent; it served not only as an advertisement but also as a collectible. These cards fostered an intimate relationship between consumers and public figures like baseball players. In a way, mass-produced and accessible imagery transformed Hankinson into a brand, furthering celebrity culture through a novel form of circulation. Editor: It's intriguing how the rigid collar almost frames his face, adding to this formal, stoic demeanor. He looks directly at the viewer, establishing a visual connection. He appears robust. Perhaps such associations—of athletic strength, forthrightness, all wrapped in a carefully produced print—are exactly what the advertisers wanted you to associate with their cigarettes. Curator: Absolutely. Advertising like this constructed the narrative that smoking Old Judge Cigarettes was somehow connected to the virility and respectability exemplified by these athletes. What might appear as simple memorabilia is embedded in social and marketing strategies. Editor: The power of observation lies in unlocking such subtleties. A small print can reveal expansive socio-cultural readings when given due attention. Curator: It enriches our understanding of the artwork, reminding us to look beyond face value and contextualize.