Bennett, Catcher, Boston, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887 - 1890

Goodwin & Company produced this baseball card of Bennett, a catcher for Boston, as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series, printed in the late 19th century. These cards were originally packaged with cigarettes, reflecting the rising popularity of baseball and the aggressive marketing tactics of the tobacco industry. The image captures Bennett in what could be considered a staged pose, holding his catching equipment, but the very act of representation raises interesting questions about identity, celebrity, and commodity culture at the time. How did athletes navigate their roles as public figures, and how did these images shape perceptions of masculinity and athleticism? Consider the cultural implications of associating sports figures with products like cigarettes, particularly in an era when advertising was rapidly evolving. This card serves as a lens through which to examine the intersections of sport, commerce, and representation in American culture. How do we construct and consume images of athletes, and what do these images tell us about our society's values and priorities?