Charles Thomas "Charlie" Reilly, 3rd Base, St. Paul Apostles, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888 - 1889

Editor: This is an advertisement card featuring Charles “Charlie” Reilly, a baseball player for the St. Paul Apostles, part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series from around 1888 or 1889. I'm struck by the sepia tone and how it places the image so firmly in the past, and the fact that it's basically a baseball card paid for by tobacco. What does this card tell you about the intersection of advertising and leisure at this time? Curator: Well, these cards speak volumes about the commercialization of leisure and the popularization of baseball. Think about it: a tobacco company leveraging the appeal of a sport and its athletes to move product. Baseball’s rise mirrored a changing America – increasing urbanization, industrialization, and a growing middle class with disposable income and leisure time. Consider that the card’s distribution embedded advertising directly within a popular pastime, subtly associating baseball, masculinity, and smoking. Who consumed these images, and how might that have shaped public perception? Editor: So, it’s about shaping perception by inserting baseball into everyday life through cigarette consumption. What about Reilly himself? Curator: Absolutely. And regarding Reilly, consider how he’s presented. It’s a straightforward, somewhat posed shot, but it contributes to the construction of the athletic hero. The name of the team, “St Paul”, is emblazoned on his shirt, creating an instant sense of civic pride for anyone looking at the card, and in turn connecting with a regional tobacco market. This commodification not only of baseball but of regionalism is indicative of socio-political aims in baseball’s rise. He is positioned, not necessarily through outstanding artistry but effective representation, to uphold that idea. What are your thoughts? Editor: That’s a great point about civic pride. I never considered how a baseball card could become a cultural object and carry with it so much. It’s amazing to think how images from the past hold keys to our current society.