McGlone, 3rd Base, Detroit Wolverines, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This is a baseball card from the Old Judge series, produced by Goodwin & Company in the late 19th century. It depicts McGlone, a third baseman for the Detroit Wolverines. Baseball cards like these weren't made for art galleries, they were originally included in cigarette packs as a marketing tactic. The cards provided a form of entertainment and a way for people to collect and trade images of their favorite players. They reflected the growing popularity of baseball as a professional sport and how commercial interests were becoming involved in culture and leisure activities. The cards helped to promote both baseball and the Old Judge Cigarette brand. To understand this image better, we can research the history of baseball, the tobacco industry, and the rise of mass media in the United States. We can also study the collecting habits of the time. These resources help us understand the meanings and values associated with this piece within its original social and institutional context.