James Albert "Al" Myers, Shortstop, Washington Nationals, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887 - 1890

Editor: Here we have "James Albert 'Al' Myers, Shortstop, Washington Nationals," a baseball card from the "Old Judge" series, made between 1887 and 1890 by Goodwin & Company. It’s an albumen print – a photographic image. The sepia tones give it such a vintage feel, like a glimpse into another era. What stands out to you when you look at this? Curator: I'm immediately drawn to how this image connects to broader narratives about athleticism and American identity. It’s fascinating how baseball became a cultural touchstone. The symbol of the "W" isn't just about a team; it's about belonging and shared values, don't you think? The albumen print gives it an archival quality, as though enshrining this moment in sporting history. What feelings does this card evoke for you? Editor: Nostalgia, certainly! And maybe a sense of the commercialization of sports, even back then, being tied to cigarette brands. It makes you wonder how aware Myers himself was of being part of this marketing machine. Curator: Precisely! He becomes a symbol *of* something beyond his own identity, an accessible emblem connecting cigarettes with, aspiration, virility and all-American sport. He embodies ideas of the late 19th century. This card, initially intended to promote tobacco sales, becomes an unintentional carrier of historical data. Editor: So, he represents both himself as a player and a larger set of ideals connected with America? Curator: Exactly! And that is precisely where the image begins its rich cultural journey. A symbol imbued with several layers of context. What seemed initially as an ordinary image, has an iconographic tale to convey. Editor: It's incredible how a simple baseball card can open up such complex interpretations about that period in history! I’ll never look at baseball cards the same way again. Curator: Nor will I! I appreciate your ability to notice the details within this compelling artifact.