T.C. Burns, 3rd Base, Chicago, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This is a promotional baseball card from 1887 made by Goodwin and Company for Old Judge Cigarettes. This card, part of a larger series, features T.C. Burns, a third baseman for the Chicago team. These cards offer a fascinating glimpse into the commercialization of sports and the rise of celebrity culture in late 19th-century America. Tobacco companies were among the first to use images of athletes to promote their products. The image normalizes the consumption of tobacco at the time. The placement of the words "Old Judge Cigarettes" are arched like a halo, as if to glorify the product. To fully understand this card, we can consult newspaper archives, sports biographies, and business histories of tobacco companies. By situating this card within its historical context, we can better understand the cultural and economic forces that shaped its production and consumption.