Fields, Catcher, Pittsburgh, from the series Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This photographic print was made by Goodwin & Company as part of their Old Judge Cigarettes series. It features “Fields, Catcher, Pittsburgh,” and would have been included in cigarette packs as a promotional item. Consider the materiality of this object. It is a mass-produced photograph, intended for distribution in vast quantities. This speaks to the rise of consumer culture and the industrialization of leisure in the late 19th century. Photography itself was becoming more accessible, transitioning from a craft-based practice to a commercial one. Goodwin & Company capitalized on this, using images of popular athletes to entice consumers. The photograph's sepia tone, a consequence of the printing process, lends it a nostalgic quality today, yet at the time it was simply a sign of mass production. The image is mounted on card stock, which would have provided stability and allowed for easy handling. Ultimately, the object blurs the lines between collectible, commodity, and artwork, reflecting the complex relationship between culture and commerce in the modern era.