William F. "Bill" Greenwood, 2nd Base, Cleveland, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This photograph of William F. "Bill" Greenwood, a second baseman for Cleveland, was made in 1888 by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge Cigarettes. It is an albumen print, a process popular in the 19th century that used egg whites to bind the photographic chemicals to paper. What makes this image so interesting is its connection to industry. These cards were essentially advertisements, mass-produced and included in cigarette packs. The sepia tones are a direct result of the albumen process, giving the image a warm, nostalgic feel that contrasts with the modern industrial methods of its production. Consider the labor involved, from the photographers to the factory workers assembling the cigarettes and inserting the cards. These images weren't just about baseball; they were about building a brand and driving consumption in a rapidly industrializing America. It prompts us to think about the social context of image-making and its entanglement with commerce.