Bartholomew L. "Bart" Cantz, Catcher, St. Louis Whites, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

Editor: This is Bartholomew L. "Bart" Cantz, Catcher, St. Louis Whites, an 1887 print from the Old Judge series for Old Judge Cigarettes, created by Goodwin & Company. It's really striking how the player’s protective gear contrasts with what looks like an outdoor setting, even kind of pastoral almost. What stands out to you? Curator: What I find interesting is the relationship between art and commerce so overtly displayed. This image isn't just a portrait; it's advertising, a promotional item distributed with cigarettes. The very materiality of the card—its paper stock, printing process, and intended disposability—speaks volumes about the culture of consumption in the late 19th century. Consider the labor involved in producing these cards on a mass scale, and the societal implications of linking athleticism with a product like cigarettes. Editor: So, the card itself becomes a record of labor, production and advertising. I guess it makes sense, it isn’t really about him. Curator: Precisely! It makes me think, what boundaries exist between artistic creation and the commodification of sporting heroes? Does the mass production cheapen this artwork, or democratize access? The mass distributed image is what is being sold more than the skill or achievements. What does the consumption of baseball cards say about consumer culture during that period? Editor: I hadn’t considered it in that way before. I was just looking at a baseball player, but the card shows it's so much more! Curator: These objects can reveal layers of social and economic context. It forces us to re-evaluate ideas of what constitutes fine art versus disposable ephemera. We must see the whole assembly line. Editor: Thanks. I see the photograph isn't simply about baseball, but really the labor of many people involved. I’ll think differently about these now.