Samuel Luther "Sam" Thompson, Right Field, Detroit Wolverines, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This albumen silver print of Samuel Luther "Sam" Thompson was produced around 1887 by Goodwin & Company as a promotional insert for Old Judge Cigarettes. This belongs to a wider series, N172, tapping into the burgeoning popularity of baseball in America. The card captures Thompson, a right fielder for the Detroit Wolverines, in a posed studio shot against a backdrop that imitates an urban environment. The commercial context is overt: the card not only advertises cigarettes but also serves as a collectible item. These cards became a cultural phenomenon, reflecting the intertwining of commerce and leisure in late 19th-century America. They also offer a glimpse into the marketing strategies and the evolving culture of celebrity in sports. Understanding this image requires us to consider the role of companies like Goodwin & Co. in shaping popular culture and the rise of baseball as a national pastime. Further research into advertising history and the development of sports culture in America would shed more light on its significance.