Amos Rusie, Pitcher, Indianapolis, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887 - 1890

Curator: Let's take a closer look at this intriguing little print. It's a piece titled "Amos Rusie, Pitcher, Indianapolis," dating from between 1887 and 1890, part of the Old Judge series for Old Judge Cigarettes. These were created by Goodwin & Company. Editor: It feels very... posed, doesn't it? Almost a stiff formality, but something charming about it too. The sepia tones make it feel like a relic unearthed from a dusty attic. The gaze of the man on his catcher maybe. What else should catch our attention? Curator: Absolutely. It's crucial to understand the historical context. These cards were essentially advertisements, inserted into cigarette packs to entice buyers. Baseball was rapidly gaining popularity at the time, and associating it with their product was a shrewd marketing move. It’s about branding and cultural moment. Editor: And Rusie himself? Was he any good? Because right now he just looks… kind of…serious about throwing. Not dynamic at all. I keep staring at his black boot-like shoes, and how much padding those early trousers seem to offer. I want him to just leap off the card. Curator: Rusie was, in fact, a major star of his era, a dominant pitcher despite struggling with control. His fastball was legendary. As for his pose: The photographic technology of the time necessitated longer exposure times, making action shots challenging, it needed the cooperation of the star who agreed to stay perfectly still, while showing that baseball was for every class of citizen. So it makes sense that this feels very different from the sports photography we know today. It's deliberately presenting baseball, presenting Rusie, to the masses. Editor: And presenting the glamour of a nice cigar to boot. But you’re right. Thinking of him and the context together, well, I guess this little print is bigger than the sum of its sepia parts. It’s frozen advertising meets momentary celebrity. And look—he's immortalised! Curator: Precisely. It's a fascinating intersection of sport, commerce, and popular culture. What resonates, perhaps unexpectedly, is how something as seemingly ephemeral as a baseball card can offer such a rich window into a bygone era. Editor: Okay, now if someone would just pass me a cigarette, maybe some perspective will be unlocked for me too! It really worked after all.