Daniel Webster "Dan" Shannon, Shortstop, Philadelphia, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

Goodwin & Company made this baseball card of Daniel "Dan" Shannon for Old Judge Cigarettes in the late 19th century. These cards were originally included in cigarette packs as a marketing strategy, capitalizing on the rising popularity of baseball and tobacco. Looking closely, we can see that Shannon is identified as a shortstop for Philadelphia, likely the Philadelphia Athletics. In that era, baseball was rapidly professionalizing and becoming deeply intertwined with urban identity and commercial interests. These cards, mass-produced and distributed, played a key role in shaping public perception of players and teams. But they also normalized tobacco use, linking it with athleticism and success. By examining company records, sports publications, and social histories of the period, we can better understand the cultural forces that shaped not only the sport itself, but also the production and consumption of images like this one.