Terry, Pitcher, Brooklyn, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887 - 1890

Editor: Here we have a baseball card from the Old Judge series, depicting Terry, a pitcher from Brooklyn, produced by Goodwin & Company between 1887 and 1890. It’s a gelatin-silver print. The sepia tones give it such a vintage, almost nostalgic feel. What are your thoughts on it? Curator: It's fascinating to consider these baseball cards not merely as commercial objects, but as reflections of a rapidly changing society. The late 19th century was a period of intense industrialization and urbanization, right? What do you notice about the player, about the background? Editor: Well, the background is fairly minimal – just grass, it seems, but the player's pose seems very deliberate, posed, almost stiff. Curator: Exactly. Now, think about the historical context: the rise of baseball as a popular, professionalized sport. What power structures were in play during the late 19th century in terms of labour, class, and even emerging consumer culture? How did racial and social identities manifest within these developing sports? Editor: That makes me think about how this card was likely marketed towards a specific demographic – perhaps white, middle-class men who were engaging with the new phenomenon of professional sports and brand loyalty. It feels almost like early advertising, cementing consumer behavior tied into racial expectations. Curator: Precisely. This baseball card, seemingly a simple portrait, actually reveals so much about the intersections of sport, commerce, identity, and power during a formative period in American history. Can we look past the nostalgic tint and begin discussing gender roles within these ads? The absence of women is noteworthy, right? Editor: Absolutely. I see your point. It’s so much more complex than just a picture of a baseball player. Thanks! Curator: Indeed! By looking at this card through different lenses, we’ve unveiled a layered understanding of its place within broader historical and social narratives.