Ebenezer Ambrose "Ed" Beatin, Pitcher, Cleveland, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887 - 1890

This baseball card of Ebenezer Ambrose "Ed" Beatin, a pitcher for Cleveland, was produced by Goodwin & Company as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series in the late 19th century. These cards offer a fascinating lens into the cultural landscape of the time, when baseball was rapidly gaining popularity and the marketing of consumer goods was becoming increasingly sophisticated. The image of Beatin, caught in a moment of athletic readiness, speaks to the idealized masculinity associated with sports. The commercial context of the card raises questions about labor, consumption, and the ways in which athletes were commodified and marketed to a growing consumer base. These cards capture a moment in time when the lines between sport, commerce, and identity were becoming increasingly blurred. It allows us to reflect on the enduring power of images to shape perceptions, desires, and cultural values.