Frank Sylvester "Silver" Flint, Catcher, Chicago, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This card from 1887, made by Goodwin & Company in New York, depicts Frank Sylvester "Silver" Flint, a catcher for the Chicago team. It comes from the Old Judge Cigarettes series, highlighting the then-common intersection of commerce and leisure. The card creates meaning through several visual and cultural cues. The sepia tone evokes nostalgia, while Flint’s pose with his bat establishes him as a figure of strength and skill. The backdrop, suggestive of a baseball field and urban landscape, situates him within a specific time and place. The late 19th century was a period of rapid industrialization and urbanization in America, and baseball emerged as a popular form of mass entertainment. This card captures that spirit, celebrating a working-class hero while promoting a commercial product. By examining such ephemera, we can gain insight into the social values, economic structures, and institutional practices of the past. Trade cards like this one offer a unique window into the cultural landscape of their time.