Michael "Mike" Joseph Mattimore, Pitcher, New York, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

Editor: So, this is a photograph from 1887 by Goodwin & Company, titled "Michael 'Mike' Joseph Mattimore, Pitcher, New York," part of the "Old Judge" series for Old Judge Cigarettes. The sepia tone gives it such an antique feel; he almost looks like he's about to leap off the card! What do you notice about the symbolism or cultural weight of this baseball player as a subject, Curator? Curator: The first thing that strikes me is how intertwined the concepts of celebrity, sport, and commercialism were, even at this early stage. Note the “Old Judge Cigarettes” advertisement looming above Mattimore’s image. Baseball cards such as this one are powerful symbols, aren't they? These images conferred a kind of immortality and a widespread recognizability to figures who were, essentially, working-class heroes. They became archetypes. Editor: Archetypes… that’s interesting. I suppose that connects to the product, offering a similar sort of aspirational appeal for the consumer. But what does Mattimore *himself* symbolize? Curator: Consider his pose – crouched, ready, in that charged moment before action. It reflects anticipation, readiness for battle, even a little bit of hope. This links to broader themes of American striving. Consider the late 19th Century was a period of rapid industrialization. Sporting heroes became increasingly important symbolic figures, emblems of health and vitality in an era of growing anxieties around modernity. Would you agree? Editor: Definitely. I guess I hadn't thought about how the image itself ties into that era's values so directly. Curator: Yes. Through its pose and place, the baseball card provides a capsule image for how America chose to represent itself. Now you see, how even ephemera gains greater substance. Editor: It's amazing how much is packed into one tiny image! Thanks so much for your perspective!