Jerry Denny, 3rd Base, Indianapolis, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This baseball card from 1887, produced by Goodwin & Company in New York for Old Judge Cigarettes, offers us a fascinating glimpse into the commercialization of leisure and the rise of celebrity culture in late 19th-century America. The image presents Jerry Denny, the third baseman for the Indianapolis team, poised with his bat. More than just a portrait, this card reflects the burgeoning baseball industry and its connection to other industries like tobacco. As baseball's popularity surged, companies seized the opportunity to promote their products through these collectible cards. The fact that these cards were included in cigarette packs meant that they became ubiquitous and an everyday item. Understanding this image requires examining the business practices of the time, the growth of professional sports, and the ways in which advertising shaped cultural values. Resources such as trade publications, company records, and social histories of baseball can shed light on this intersection of commerce, sport, and visual culture. It invites us to consider how institutions shape our understanding and appreciation of art, and how seemingly simple images can reveal complex social and economic relationships.