Bushong, Catcher, Brooklyn, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This paper card, dating to 1888, was made by Goodwin & Company as a promotional item for Old Judge Cigarettes. It features Bushong, a catcher for the Brooklyn team. The card's photographic image and textual information, printed on thin paper stock, are products of industrial processes. Consider the labor involved: from manufacturing the paper and ink, to typesetting, printing, and cutting. And of course, photographing Bushong. The card’s small size speaks to its original purpose – a disposable insert included in cigarette packs. These cards blur the lines between commodity, collectible, and artwork, raising interesting questions about value, consumption, and the cultural status of baseball at the time. Its survival speaks to the enduring human desire for mementos and collecting. By considering the material and production of this card, we gain a richer understanding of its place in society and its meaning beyond just a simple image.