Brown, Center Field, Boston, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This late 19th-century baseball card of "Brown, Center Field, Boston," was produced by Goodwin & Company as part of a series for Old Judge Cigarettes. These cards emerged during a period of increasing commercialization and growing interest in celebrity culture. The image captures a moment of athletic prowess, yet it also reflects the racial and class dynamics of the era. As baseball gained popularity, it provided opportunities for some, but it also reinforced existing social hierarchies. While some black players were part of integrated teams early on, the color line became strictly enforced by the late 1880s, mirroring broader segregationist trends. These cards were both a celebration of the sport and a reflection of the exclusionary practices that shaped its history. By circulating these images of idealized athletes, Goodwin & Company appealed to the desires and aspirations of a rapidly changing American society. This small piece of printed matter is a potent reminder of the complex intersections of race, sport, and commerce in the shaping of American identity.