Hanrahan, Shortstop, Chicago, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

Editor: This albumen print, "Hanrahan, Shortstop, Chicago," was made around 1887 by Goodwin & Company as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. There’s a sepia-toned elegance to this portrait that’s striking. What historical narratives are woven into this baseball card, beyond its face value as a collectible? Curator: This isn’t just a portrait; it’s a snapshot of the burgeoning commercialization of baseball and the use of celebrity endorsement in the late 19th century. Cigarette companies like Old Judge strategically used these cards, inserting them into packs, to promote their product and cultivate brand loyalty. Who did they hope to reach with this strategy? Editor: Primarily, baseball fans, especially young ones who might be swayed by the images of their sporting heroes. But, knowing what you do about cultural context, what other layers are at play here? Curator: Consider the politics of representation. These cards weren’t just about selling cigarettes; they were about shaping an image of American masculinity, tying it to ideals of athleticism, success, and even leisure, even as anxieties surrounding immigration and industrialization were rampant. It's also telling to see which athletes were chosen, and who was conspicuously left out. The creation of "Old Judge" was at a crucial time for sports. Baseball was starting to become a cultural sensation. Editor: That gives me a different way to view what seems a straightforward photograph, almost. It underscores the subtle ways marketing and societal norms intertwine. Curator: Precisely. What appears to be a simple promotional item is in fact an intriguing mirror reflecting the social and political values of its time. We have to also realize that these images gave certain folks platforms while excluding others from recognition, making the art piece somewhat exclusionary. Editor: Absolutely, reflecting on these layered meanings reshapes our understanding and deepens its complexity beyond mere admiration. Curator: I completely agree; it's in understanding the cultural undercurrents that these pieces can show the ever changing art of human dynamics.