Baldwin, Pitcher, Chicago, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

Goodwin & Company produced this small card in 1887 as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. What was the relationship between baseball and cigarettes at this time? In the late 19th century, tobacco companies used baseball cards as promotional items to boost sales. The cards were inserted into cigarette packs, encouraging consumers to collect complete sets. This particular card features Baldwin, a pitcher for the Chicago team, and it tells us a lot about the burgeoning institutions of professional sports. This card helped to popularize baseball and create a sense of connection between fans and players. The commercial context also made celebrity accessible and fostered a culture of collecting and trading. As historians, we look at advertisements and commercial images to better understand their role in shaping social attitudes and cultural values.