Charles G. Buffington, Center Field, Philadelphia, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This baseball card was produced by Goodwin & Company around 1887, as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. The card is made from a thin paper stock, typical of mass-produced ephemera of the time, with a sepia-toned photographic print adhered to its surface. The choice of photography for these cards speaks to the rise of visual culture and celebrity in the late 19th century. Mass production enabled widespread distribution, turning baseball players like Charles Buffington into recognizable figures. The card was included in cigarette packs, a canny marketing strategy connecting a popular sport with a widely consumed product. These cards weren't just about sport; they were about commerce. They reflect the increasing integration of leisure and consumerism, and the industrial processes that made both possible. As we consider the image, let's remember that its value extends beyond mere representation to the very fabric of its making, and the culture of consumption it helped to create.