Fred J. Mann, Right Field, Hartford, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This baseball card, featuring Fred J. Mann, was produced around 1888 by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge Cigarettes. The image was likely created through a photographic process, then printed on paper - a seemingly simple combination of materials that belies the card's significance. The card exemplifies the intersection of commerce and culture in the late 19th century. It demonstrates how the burgeoning popularity of baseball was cleverly leveraged by the tobacco industry. The printing process itself – likely mass-produced – speaks to the industrialization of image-making and the rise of consumer culture. The card's small size and disposable nature also hint at a society increasingly defined by ephemerality. Ultimately, this card is not just a portrait of a baseball player, but also a window into the social and economic forces that shaped its creation. It reminds us that even the simplest objects can reveal a great deal about labor, politics, and consumption.