G. Smith, Shortstop, Brooklyn Bridegrooms, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This photographic print of G. Smith, the shortstop for the Brooklyn Bridegrooms, was made around 1888 by Goodwin & Company as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. These cards, distributed with tobacco products, reflect the growing commercialization of baseball and the rise of celebrity culture in the late 19th century United States. The image creates meaning through its straightforward depiction of Smith in his uniform, holding a bat, signaling a certain kind of masculinity. The fact that the card was used as a promotional item highlights the intersection of sports, business, and consumerism in American society. To understand the full context of these images, we might look at advertising history, the development of professional sports, and the cultural values of the Gilded Age. These resources can tell us a great deal about the social and institutional forces that shaped the production and reception of these early baseball cards.