Sommers, Catcher, Chicago, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

This baseball card, featuring Sommers of Chicago, was produced by Goodwin & Company as part of the "Old Judge" series to promote cigarettes. These cards emerged during a time of increasing commercialism and growing popularity of baseball. Reflecting the cultural norms of the late 19th century, the card promotes an idealized image of athleticism and masculinity that was almost exclusively white. These cards served not only as collectibles, but also as cultural artifacts, reinforcing social hierarchies and racial divisions prevalent at the time. Despite the romanticism associated with early baseball, it's important to acknowledge that the sport, like many other facets of American life, was deeply affected by the racial segregation and prejudice of the era. These cards offer a lens through which to examine how sports, advertising, and cultural identity were intertwined, underscoring the complexities of representation and the biases that have historically shaped our perceptions.