James William "Jim" Keenan, Catcher, Cincinnati, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This photographic print of James William "Jim" Keenan, a catcher for Cincinnati, was produced by Goodwin & Company in 1888 as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. These cards emerged from a specific cultural and economic context, as they were distributed with cigarette packs to boost sales at a time when tobacco companies were vying for market dominance. This practice reflects a broader trend of using images to promote consumer goods and associate them with desirable qualities. The image creates meaning through visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. In the late 19th century, baseball was rapidly gaining popularity as America's pastime. As such, these cards provided fans with a tangible connection to their favorite players and teams. This also marks an interesting moment in the institutional history of sport and visual culture. These types of images provide valuable insights into the social and cultural values of the time. By studying company archives, baseball histories, and popular culture sources, we can better understand the role of images in shaping social identities and consumer behavior in late 19th-century America.