Smith, Shortstop, Brooklyn Bridegrooms, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

Goodwin & Company produced this baseball card of Smith, a shortstop for the Brooklyn Bridegrooms, as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series in 1888. These cards, small enough to fit inside a cigarette pack, weren't primarily about art; they were a marketing tool. They offered consumers something extra, a collectible incentive to choose one brand over another, and to build brand loyalty. In an era before mass media, tobacco companies were some of the biggest producers of printed ephemera, and these cards offer a fascinating window into the cultural values of the time. Baseball was rapidly gaining popularity as America’s pastime, and these images helped to fuel the sports growing appeal. The focus on individual players also marks the rise of celebrity culture. Understanding these images requires delving into the economic and social history of the late 19th century, exploring how new industries and leisure activities shaped American life.