Anthony Joseph "Tony" Hellman, Catcher, Sioux City Corn Huskers, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

Editor: Here we have an 1889 photographic print titled "Anthony Joseph 'Tony' Hellman, Catcher, Sioux City Corn Huskers," produced by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge Cigarettes. The sepia tone and the small size immediately give it an intimate, almost nostalgic feel. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: I see an object deeply embedded in the burgeoning commercial culture of late 19th-century America. Think about it: a baseball player, rendered through photography, mass-produced as a cigarette card. The materials—paper, photographic chemicals, printing press—speak volumes about industrialization and the rise of leisure. What's the connection between athleticism, tobacco consumption, and the creation of this collectible object? Editor: That's a fascinating perspective! It shifts the focus from the individual athlete to the systems of production that made his image so widely available. Do you see the cigarette card as challenging traditional notions of art? Curator: Precisely! Here we have a mass-produced image, intended as a promotional item. But consider the labour involved in photography, printing, and even the cultivation of tobacco. Where do we draw the line between "high art" and the art of making a commodity? Does the intent matter more than the material reality? Editor: So, by examining the materials and context, we're uncovering layers of meaning beyond just a simple portrait of a baseball player. Curator: Absolutely. We’re seeing how cultural values and industrial processes intersect to create a unique artifact. What did you take away from this? Editor: I now see it as more than just a baseball card; it's a little time capsule, revealing the intricate connections between sports, industry, and consumerism. Thank you. Curator: My pleasure.