Bierbauer, 2nd Base, Philadelphia Athletics, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

Curator: This albumen print, dating back to 1888, is part of the "Old Judge" series by Goodwin & Company. It portrays Bierbauer, a 2nd baseman for the Philadelphia Athletics. Editor: My immediate thought is of baseball's mythic roots. There’s a curious mix of the posed and the candid, almost a secular icon depicting athleticism. The sepia tone definitely gives it that sense of the "olden days." Curator: Precisely. These baseball cards were originally packaged with Old Judge Cigarettes, meant to promote both the sport and the brand. It reflects how celebrity culture was emerging alongside modern advertising and consumerism, wouldn't you say? Baseball becomes inextricably linked with ideologies surrounding nation, class and leisure. Editor: And the symbols embedded are revealing. Look at the idealized landscape in the background, contrasting with the grittiness of the baseball field. It highlights that tension between nature and manufactured entertainment and between local heroes and commodities. The typeface used on his uniform echoes a distinct working-class sensibility too. Curator: Absolutely, and consider the pose – almost devotional, hands outstretched towards the ball as if it’s some sacred object. In terms of masculinity and labor in the late 19th century, there's also a racial element to consider when we examine that sporting image. There were social dynamics and expectations imposed on sporting clubs at that moment, so these are points of absences, too. Editor: I'm also curious about the brand's title on the card itself. “Old Judge" conjures images of wisdom, judgement and authority, all qualities associated with success, but cleverly marketed alongside vice – the cigarettes! What assumptions were the company appealing to, I wonder. Curator: Exactly, It underscores the contradictions of the era. Thanks for illuminating some layers in this snapshot of late 19th century Americana. Editor: It highlights the enduring, and sometimes strange, power of the photographic image to condense history, myth, and aspiration into a single frame.