E.W. Cartwright, 1st Base, Washington, from Mayo's Cut Plug Baseball series (N300) 1895

P.H. Mayo & Brother of Richmond, Virginia, produced this baseball card of E.W. Cartwright, a first baseman for Washington, as part of a series included in packages of their "cut plug" tobacco. These cards, popular in the late 19th century, offer a fascinating glimpse into the social history of both baseball and advertising. Consider the implications of associating a popular sport with a product like chewing tobacco, and the way it might normalize the use of an addictive substance. Looking at the card itself, the formal portrait style suggests a desire to legitimize baseball as a professional sport. The inclusion of the player’s name and position also contributes to this sense of legitimacy and professionalism. Understanding these visual and cultural codes requires us to look at the history of baseball, advertising, and public health in America at the turn of the century. Such research allows us to see how seemingly simple images like this one reflect the complex social forces at play in their time.