William Ellsworth "Bill" Blair, Pitcher, Hamilton Hams, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This is a photographic baseball card of William Ellsworth "Bill" Blair, pitcher for the Hamilton Hams, produced by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge Cigarettes in 1888. These cards represent an intriguing intersection of sports, commerce, and visual culture in late 19th-century America. Produced during a surge in baseball's popularity, these cards were inserted into cigarette packs as a marketing strategy. What does it mean that baseball's rise in popularity was being marketed through cigarettes? What sort of social history of leisure and health does that indicate? The images often romanticized players, contributing to the emerging celebrity culture surrounding sports figures. This particular card highlights the institutional role of companies like Goodwin & Co. in shaping public perceptions of athletes and the sport itself. The imagery provides valuable insights into the social conditions of the time. By researching Goodwin & Co. and the culture of baseball at the time, we can better understand the meanings these cards held for their original audience.