John Ewing, Pitcher, Louisville Colonels, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

This photographic print of John Ewing, a pitcher for the Louisville Colonels, was made by Goodwin & Company around 1888 as part of an advertising series for Old Judge Cigarettes. Consider the materiality of this object. It’s not just a picture; it’s a mass-produced card, designed to be collected and traded. The sepia tone gives it a sense of nostalgia, but also speaks to the industrial processes of photographic reproduction in the late 19th century. The image itself is carefully staged, yet it has a casual feel. The text at the bottom of the card anchors the image in a specific time and place, and also reminds us of its connection to the tobacco industry. The card represents a fusion of advertising, photography, and popular culture. This blending of commerce and image-making challenges conventional ideas about art. It prompts us to think about how images circulate, and the cultural values they carry.