Michael Cornelius Dorgan, Right Field, New York, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This is a photographic print of Michael Cornelius Dorgan, right fielder for New York, produced in 1887 by Goodwin & Company as part of the "Old Judge" series for their cigarettes. The image speaks to the rise of baseball as a mass spectator sport in the late 19th century, and to the ways in which commercial enterprises sought to capitalize on its popularity. These cards, distributed with tobacco products, were a form of advertising, but also served as collectibles, fueling a burgeoning consumer culture. The placement of Dorgan's image on a cigarette card highlights the connections between sport, leisure, and the promotion of particular brands, reflecting the economic structures of the time. To fully understand this image, we can look into the history of baseball, advertising, and photography in America, using resources like period newspapers, business records, and team statistics. The meaning of this small card is contingent on the social and institutional contexts in which it was produced and circulated.