James Elsworth "Jimmy" Peoples, Catcher, Cleveland, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This baseball card, featuring James Elsworth "Jimmy" Peoples, was produced by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge Cigarettes, sometime around 1887. It’s made using a photographic process called an albumen print – thin paper floated on a coating of egg white, then exposed to light through a negative. The sepia tone and soft focus are characteristic of the era, but what's really interesting is how this object ties into the late 19th century economy. These cards were essentially promotional material, a means to get consumers hooked on the Old Judge brand. The images were carefully chosen and posed to appeal to a broad audience, and their production reflects the scale of industrial capitalism. Think about the labor involved – from the photographers and printers, to the factory workers churning out cigarettes and inserting these cards into the packs. This simple card is a testament to how art, commerce, and leisure intertwined during a period of rapid industrial growth. It’s a reminder that even seemingly trivial objects can reveal complex social histories.