Leon A. "Lee" Viau, Pitcher, Cincinnati, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

Curator: Here we have a card from the "Old Judge" series, dating back to 1888. These were produced by Goodwin & Company for their Old Judge Cigarettes and they portray Leon A. "Lee" Viau, a pitcher for Cincinnati. Editor: Immediately, the sepia tone evokes a real sense of nostalgia. The composition is striking too – Viau’s poised mid-throw, framed within a tightly compressed rectangle. It creates this interesting tension, this feeling of contained energy ready to burst forth. Curator: Absolutely, the portrait cards capture a slice of baseball's history as it transitioned into a more professionalized sport. This form of photographic portraiture offered visibility to players outside their local communities, contributing to the burgeoning fan culture. Think of how revolutionary these prints must have seemed back then, democratizing imagery for mass consumption. Editor: The photographic print medium adds an undeniable sense of authenticity, while simultaneously stylizing the presentation. Viau is wearing an all-white uniform with a belt cinched at his waist – the semiotics create a tension with what might have been experienced during a real baseball game at the time. What’s further revealed when thinking of materiality? This was likely intended as ephemeral – how fascinating to have one last so long. Curator: These cards functioned within a larger economy of desire fueled by celebrity and the marketing of consumer goods. They served to both document and create celebrity, linking baseball to broader narratives of progress and the burgeoning mass culture. Moreover, Old Judge cigarettes probably were not the healthiest product; you'll find so many commercial ties throughout history like this one that link athleticism and less healthy living. Editor: Examining it closely, I am taken with the blurred background. This forces the viewer's attention entirely upon Viau, focusing the gaze with greater purpose, intensifying the composition while the textures blend subtly together in monochromatic resonance. Curator: Right, so viewing art from the past can sometimes spark these types of interesting observations about the development of art and industry within our societies. Editor: Yes. This artwork invites us to appreciate baseball culture on a microscale, too, to consider how photographic style helped cultivate its own language across media and subcultures.