Patrick E. "Pat" Pettee, 2nd Base, London Tecumsehs, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888 - 1889

This baseball card was made in 1888 by Goodwin & Company, using photography and printing processes. Far from high art, it was a mass-produced insert for Old Judge Cigarettes, reflecting the rise of both commercial sport and consumer culture. The photograph is carefully posed, showing Pettee as a heroic figure, but the card itself speaks to industrial efficiency. Printed on thin paper, it was one of many, churned out to drive sales. The company employed a team of photographers and printers, each playing a role in the card's creation, and distribution. These cards weren't meant to last, yet they offer us a window into the past, reminding us that even the most ephemeral objects can hold cultural significance. The card is a reminder that art exists in many forms, and that value can be found in the everyday objects that shape our lives. It challenges us to look beyond traditional notions of art and to consider the social and economic forces that shape our visual world.