Milligan, Catcher and Larkins, Left Field, Athletics, from the Kalamazoo Bats series (N690) issued by Chas. Gross & Co. to promote Kalamazoo Bats 1887

This photographic print, featuring baseball players Milligan and Larkins, was made in 1887 by Chas. Gross & Co. as a promotional item for Kalamazoo Bats cigars. The sepia tone is a direct result of the albumen print process, which involves coating paper with egg white to create a glossy surface for the photographic emulsion. This labor-intensive process was common in the late 19th century, reflecting a time when photographic reproduction was still a relatively novel technology. The choice of this technique speaks to the perceived value of the image and, by extension, the cigars it advertised. The card’s small size also suggests a collectability, and its use as a tradeable object, linking it to a burgeoning culture of leisure and consumption. Considering the context of industrialization and mass production, this baseball card embodies the intersection of commerce, sport, and the cultural values of the time. It’s a reminder that even seemingly simple objects can reveal complex social dynamics when we consider their materials, production, and purpose.