Murray, Washington, from the series Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This photograph of Washington Murray, from the series ‘Old Judge Cigarettes’, was produced around 1888 by Goodwin & Company in New York. Produced for a brand of cigarettes, the image taps into the growing popularity of baseball in the late 19th century. Baseball cards like these served as promotional material, strategically associating smoking with leisure, sport, and the virile image of athletes like Murray. The backdrop, painted for studio photography, creates an idealized vision of rural America, connecting baseball to notions of nature, health, and traditional values. These cards were part of a larger marketing strategy, revealing the intersection of commercial interests and cultural trends. Institutional records from companies like Goodwin & Co. and archives of baseball history can shed light on the cultural values that shaped the production and reception of these images. This photograph is not merely a portrait but a window into the social and economic landscape of its time.