Madden, Pitcher, Boston, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887 - 1890

This albumen silver print, made by Goodwin & Company in the United States around 1888, was originally produced as a collectible card included in packs of Old Judge Cigarettes. The image presents Madden, a pitcher for Boston, in a posed studio shot rather than an action scene. Its meaning lies less in artistic innovation, and more in the burgeoning commercial culture of the late 19th century. Baseball was becoming America's pastime, and companies like Goodwin sought to capitalize on this popularity through promotional items. These cards reflect the era's advertising strategies and the increasing intermingling of sports, celebrity culture, and consumerism. Understanding this image requires diving into the business history of the time and examining the rise of mass media and its impact on leisure activities. By consulting archives, business records, and period publications, we can uncover the complex relationship between art, commerce, and the making of cultural icons. The meaning of this image is therefore contingent on its social and institutional context.