Kilroy, Pitcher, Boston, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887 - 1890

Curator: I’m getting such a sepia-toned daydream vibe from this, like a forgotten story. It has the mood of an antique mirror reflecting a ghost from the early days of baseball. Editor: Indeed. What we're seeing here is an albumen print baseball card, dating from somewhere between 1887 and 1890. It was created by Goodwin & Company as part of the "Old Judge" series, promoting their cigarette brand. This one features a player named Kilroy from the Boston team. Curator: Right, like, a miniature advertisement. And that uniform – it's more formal than I expected! Look at the high collar and the belt! It really frames him so perfectly. What statement was it trying to convey? Editor: These cards, tucked into cigarette packs, functioned as both collectible items and marketing tools, intended to create brand loyalty but also constructing baseball heroes, solidifying their status as national figures. Think of how pervasive baseball was, a true cultural touchstone for the rising immigrant class. It offered a vision of American masculinity but equally helped the newcomers integrate into the United States. Curator: That's a curious use for it. It brings up interesting questions about our current marketing strategies and image-making. Kilroy here is not just selling a smoke; he’s selling aspiration and belonging. There's an elegance about it too – such sharp detail on such a tiny photograph. You can nearly feel the texture of his uniform. I also wonder what it would have felt like to buy that smoke and discover him. A little portal to another world! Editor: Absolutely. The "Old Judge" series, with its photographic realism, helped democratize access to baseball stars. This makes the images themselves significant historical artifacts of American consumer culture. Curator: And to think this small memento, this snapshot of fleeting fame, resides within the halls of the Met. Time capsules that remind us that what we do matters! Editor: It's true, Kilroy and his Old Judge comrades are part of the making and marketing of our current myths, both on and off the field.