Alexander "Colonel" Ferson, Pitcher, Washington Nationals, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

This photographic print of Alexander "Colonel" Ferson was created by Goodwin & Company around 1889 as an advertisement for Old Judge Cigarettes. Baseball cards like this one offer a fascinating glimpse into the cultural and economic landscape of late 19th-century America. The mass production of these cards coincided with the rise of both professional baseball and the tobacco industry, reflecting a growing consumer culture. These cards weren't just about the sport; they were marketing tools, subtly linking leisure activities with product consumption. The Goodwin & Company were based in New York, and as such, their business benefited from the city's development as a commercial hub. They used images of athletes to appeal to a wide demographic, contributing to the construction of celebrity culture and the commercialization of sports. To understand this image better, we need to explore the history of baseball, advertising, and consumerism during this period, drawing on sources from business archives to sociological studies of leisure.