Baldwin, Pitcher, Chicago, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

Goodwin & Company made this small portrait card of Baldwin, a Chicago baseball pitcher, to be included in packs of Old Judge Cigarettes, around 1887. These cards emerged during a time of increasing commercialism and the rise of celebrity culture, but also during the rise of baseball as America's pastime. The image reflects the era's limited understanding of athleticism, focusing more on recognizability rather than action, which would have been hard to capture at the time. It represents a moment when athletes started to gain public recognition and were used to promote consumer products. It's interesting to note that in this historical moment, commercial imagery often reinforced societal hierarchies, reflecting ideals of masculinity and success that were largely exclusive. Reflect on how this card, intended as a small commercial item, can now offer insights into the cultural values and social structures of its time. It reminds us that even the most commonplace objects can carry significant historical weight.