James Francis "Pud" Galvin, Pitcher, Pittsburgh, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This baseball card featuring James Francis "Pud" Galvin was produced around 1887 by Goodwin & Company, using a photographic process. The sepia tone and the card’s small size speak volumes about the era's industrialization and consumer culture. Produced in vast quantities, these cards were included in cigarette packs, enticing customers while celebrating sports heroes. The photographic printing process allowed for mass production, linking the burgeoning baseball craze with the tobacco industry's marketing strategies. The card's material fragility contrasts with its cultural endurance, reminding us of the ephemeral nature of mass-produced goods. Consider the labor involved in every stage, from growing tobacco to printing millions of these cards. This was a new phenomenon of celebrity, visualized through a gritty, industrious lens. Looking at this artifact, we are reminded that everyday items can offer profound insights into the social, economic, and cultural forces that shape our world.