Kenyon, Catcher, St. Louis Whites, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This is a baseball card of Kenyon, a catcher for the St. Louis Whites, dating back to 1888. It was produced by Goodwin & Company as part of the "Old Judge" series for cigarette packaging. These cards emerged during a period marked by both industrial expansion and deep social divisions. Baseball itself was becoming America's pastime, but it was also a site where ideas about race, class, and masculinity were being negotiated and reinforced. What does it mean to see Kenyon—a figure of athleticism and strength—packaged with a product like cigarettes, marketed towards a specific vision of manhood? The card is more than just a portrait of an athlete, it's a window into the commercial strategies and cultural values of the late 19th century. The image invites us to consider the narratives of identity being constructed and consumed during this pivotal era. It is a reminder of how deeply intertwined our pastimes are with broader social and economic forces.