Schriver, Catcher, Philadelphia, from the series Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This photograph of Schriver, a catcher for Philadelphia, was made by Goodwin & Company in 1888. It's from a series called "Old Judge Cigarettes," meaning it was originally a promotional item found in cigarette packs. These cards reflect the burgeoning commercialization of baseball in the late 19th century, a time when the sport was rapidly professionalizing and becoming a national pastime. Cigarette companies recognized the marketing potential of associating their product with popular athletes. What strikes me is how the idealized image of the athlete is packaged alongside a product promising adult pleasure. It's a neat encapsulation of the changing social landscape, where leisure, consumption, and celebrity were becoming intertwined. Understanding such images requires looking at business archives, sports history, and the social history of advertising. These cards are not just about baseball; they're about the making of modern consumer culture.