August H. "Gus" Krock, Pitcher, Chicago, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

Editor: Here we have "August H. 'Gus' Krock, Pitcher, Chicago," a baseball card from 1888 created by Goodwin & Company. It’s a portrait, made as a print using photography, likely an advertisement for Old Judge Cigarettes. It feels like such a relic. It's amazing to see something like this preserved. What's your interpretation of this work? Curator: What I find fascinating is how even mundane, mass-produced objects like these baseball cards offer a peek into the cultural values of their time. They're not just selling cigarettes; they're selling an image of American masculinity, of sport as a noble pursuit. There is such a staged and deliberate feeling to it all. Does the backdrop feel almost like a stage to you too? Editor: It does feel staged! The backdrop is almost theatrical, not a natural baseball field. It makes the subject seem less candid, almost posed like a statue. Curator: Exactly! And note the almost sepia-toned rendering; it lends an air of timelessness, of romanticizing a very recent past. This was relatively new technology, yet it's presented with the same visual language we might associate with far earlier eras. Almost claiming the glory of older times, for this "modern" sport. How interesting is that? Editor: I hadn't thought about that. The use of photography in this way almost lends importance to both the player and the brand, like they are part of something timeless. Curator: Precisely! These little cards end up becoming time capsules, reflecting a nation’s aspirations and anxieties far beyond just a simple game. It also says quite a lot about the commercialisation of everything too, of course! Editor: That’s true, looking at it this way I think I will start keeping more "everyday objects" – who knows what we may uncover about ourselves?