Martin F. "Duck" Duke, Pitcher, Minneapolis, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

This is Martin F. "Duck" Duke, Pitcher, Minneapolis, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes, made around 1889 by Goodwin & Company. As a commercial product, the card exemplifies the Gilded Age when mass production and advertising were transforming American culture. Note the name "Old Judge" on the card, which refers to a brand of cigarettes. Consider the context: baseball was becoming increasingly popular, and companies like Goodwin & Co. sought to capitalize on this by including baseball cards with their products. The image itself, though seemingly straightforward, embodies a moment in the sport's development, reflecting a growing interest in professional athletes. The name of the cigarette company is prominent on the card. The photograph of the athlete is secondary. To fully understand this image, one could explore the advertising strategies of the late 19th century, the history of baseball as a professional sport, and the role of tobacco companies in shaping popular culture. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.