Timothy John "Tim" Keefe, Pitcher, New York, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

Editor: Here we have a vintage photographic print, "Timothy John "Tim" Keefe, Pitcher, New York," from 1887. It was produced by Goodwin & Company as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. It has this incredible sepia tone. What strikes me is the anticipation in his pose. What's your take? Curator: Well, the beauty, as you keenly noticed, lies in its immediacy. But, really, it's a portal! Think of the world brewing then – industrial boom, anxieties, new leisure activities like baseball rising. And, bang, here’s Tim Keefe, captured, becoming this emblem of a shifting society. The sepia whispers nostalgia, yet the image also has that strange new sheen that photography was offering then. Editor: It’s amazing to think about it in that broader context. So this wasn't just about selling cigarettes? Curator: Never "just" about the surface! Everything contains multitudes, darling. These cards turned athletes into icons. Goodwin understood image power and celebrity! What do you see when you look at his uniform, or his pose? How does that affect your experience? Editor: Now that you mention it, it makes me think about our obsession with celebrity now! Even the uniform is significant; there is a feeling of seriousness in his face. Curator: Absolutely! These little cardboard rectangles tell a grander story, connecting consumerism, celebrity, and the nascent American pastime. Editor: That gives me a whole new perspective. It’s more than just a baseball card. It’s history in your hand. Curator: Precisely! It’s about capturing fleeting moments and imbuing them with enduring meaning.