Burdock, 2nd Base, Boston, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

Editor: So, this is "Burdock, 2nd Base, Boston," a photographic print from 1887 by Goodwin & Company, originally an Old Judge Cigarettes card. I'm immediately struck by how posed and formal it feels for a baseball player. What resonates with you? Curator: The symbolism embedded in this image speaks volumes about late 19th-century ideals. Consider the figure's stance: upright, confident, almost a stoic posture we see repeated in portraiture of leading figures. This isn't just a baseball player; it’s an emblem of athleticism and respectability being marketed with...cigarettes. Editor: Interesting, so it's about marketing a certain lifestyle? The clean uniform, the carefully groomed mustache… Curator: Precisely! What does the word "Boston" emblazoned across his chest evoke for you? Think beyond the sport itself. Editor: Pride, I suppose? A sense of belonging and civic identity. It is an early form of sports celebrity worship maybe? And associating that with the Old Judge brand... Curator: Yes, the image is less about the game itself, and more about the cultural capital associated with both baseball and the city it represents. Also notice that Burdock has a bat, and you will notice the emphasis is not his hand that hits with the bat. This might be intended to give the image certain grace and not the mere aggression that might have been associated with "sporting types." Does that change how you view the image? Editor: Absolutely. Seeing it that way, it seems incredibly deliberate, like every detail was carefully chosen to project a specific image. So much is implied beneath the surface! I thought it was just a simple baseball card. Curator: That's the beauty of unpacking visual symbols! They often carry much more weight than initially meets the eye. Next time you see an advertisement consider how carefully designed it really is.