Jayson S. "Jay" Faatz, Captain, Cleveland, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This small card was produced by Goodwin & Company around 1888, and it features Jayson "Jay" Faatz, captain of the Cleveland baseball team. It was made by photographic means, and then printed on a card stock as a promotional item for Old Judge Cigarettes. What I find most interesting about this object is its intersection of early photographic processes, commercial marketing, and the burgeoning sport of baseball. The sepia tone, the formal pose, and the crisp edges are all qualities we can appreciate. But also the card's original purpose: it would have been included in a package of cigarettes, and then was eagerly collected and traded. This points to a very different relationship between labor, leisure, and consumption than we know today. Baseball cards like this one were instrumental in building fan bases and fostering a sense of community around the sport, while also driving sales for the tobacco industry. By focusing on its materiality, making, and context, we gain a deeper understanding of this everyday yet fascinating artifact.