Charles Louis "Chief" Zimmer, Catcher, Cleveland, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

Goodwin & Company produced this small baseball card around 1887, as part of the "Old Judge" series to promote cigarettes. The card features Charles Louis "Chief" Zimmer, a catcher for Cleveland, during a time when baseball was rapidly gaining popularity and becoming intertwined with American identity. These cards were originally packaged with cigarettes, targeting a predominantly male audience, and reflect the commercialization of sports and the construction of celebrity. Note that Zimmer's nickname, "Chief," however reflects the appropriation of Native American identity, common in sports at the time, revealing a complex intersection of race, representation, and popular culture. As you view this image, consider the layers of meaning embedded within a seemingly simple baseball card. It's not just about the sport, but also about how identities are formed, marketed, and consumed in a rapidly changing society.