Bradley, Center Field, Worcester, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This baseball card of "Bradley, Center Field, Worcester" was produced in 1888 by Goodwin & Company as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. These cards were a cultural phenomenon. They were originally included in cigarette packs to stiffen them and prevent damage. They quickly became a collectible item, especially among young men and boys. They offer us a glimpse into the values and aesthetics of late 19th-century America. Think about the implications of associating athleticism with smoking, a habit now known to be deadly. The commercialization of sports, the marketing strategies targeting specific demographics, and the construction of idealized images of masculinity are all themes we can unpack from this small piece of cardboard. It serves as a lens through which we can examine the intersections of commerce, sport, and identity in America's past, while asking us to consider our own contemporary moment.