James O'Neil, Champion Baseball Batter, from the Champions of Games and Sports series (N184, Type 2) issued by W.S. Kimball & Co. 1887

This small card, issued by W.S. Kimball & Co., features James O'Neil, a champion baseball batter. The chromolithographic process used to create it was a marvel of industrial production at the time. The design is printed on thin paper, allowing for mass production and distribution within packs of Kimball's tobacco products. The texture is smooth, with the colors carefully layered to create a detailed image of O'Neil and a baseball scene. The weight of the card is negligible, reflecting its function as a collectible item rather than a precious artwork. The card's significance lies in its connection to the burgeoning baseball industry and the culture of collecting that accompanied it. The labor involved in producing these cards, from the artists and engravers to the factory workers, speaks to the scale of industrial capitalism in the late 19th century. By focusing on materials, making, and context, we can appreciate the social and cultural value embedded in this seemingly simple card.