McGunnigle, Manager, Brooklyn Bridegrooms, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

Editor: Here we have “McGunnigle, Manager, Brooklyn Bridegrooms” from 1888 by Goodwin & Company. It's an albumen print, so it's got that sepia tone and kind of soft focus. It looks like an old baseball card. He has a striking seriousness, given the medium. What captures your attention in this piece? Curator: Ah, Goodwin & Company, masters of the everyday epic. This unassuming card whispers tales of ambition, tobacco, and the burgeoning cult of celebrity. See how the light caresses McGunnigle’s double-breasted coat? It's a pose of practiced confidence, that hand nonchalantly tucked in his pocket… What’s *he* thinking, I wonder? Editor: It almost looks like he is self-conscious. I notice it’s an ad for Old Judge Cigarettes, tucked at the bottom. Is it strange to pair a manager with a brand like this? Curator: Not in the Gilded Age! Commerce and culture danced cheek to cheek. This card, you see, isn't just a portrait; it's a tiny piece of social theater. Baseball heroes, managers, even mustachioed cigarette men became these mini-icons. Did having his image on these cards impact the team? Editor: That’s a fascinating point. I’m guessing McGunnigle became well known outside of just Brooklyn. It does give you a sense of the power of advertising even back then. Curator: Exactly! And power dynamics within early sports leagues and tobacco industries! You know what they say, follow the cigarette ads, you'll find a fascinating, and probably smoky, story! Editor: So much to unpack in a tiny baseball card. I hadn’t considered the impact that it has had over time. Curator: Me neither, but I like that about old photography. What story can it unlock?