Gilmore, Pitcher, from the series Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This photographic print of Gilmore the Pitcher, made by Goodwin & Company in 1888, is from the series Old Judge Cigarettes. The image is made through a chemical process, of course, and the photographic print speaks to the industrialization of image making at this time. It’s hard to imagine now, but images like this were not just art, but also a commodity. They were produced in multiples and included in cigarette packs as collectible cards. The rise of commercial photography was really significant in shaping the way we consume and circulate images, very much like social media today. What I find compelling about the card is that it invites us to consider the relationship between sport, celebrity culture, and the rise of mass media and consumerism. It also raises interesting questions about authorship, labor, and the role of photography in shaping social identities. When we consider the material and the process of production, we recognize that this image challenges our traditional ways of thinking about art and culture.