John Alexander "Bid" McPhee, 2nd Base, Cincinnati, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This is John Alexander "Bid" McPhee, 2nd Base, Cincinnati, a baseball card created by Goodwin & Company. It's part of the Old Judge series (N172) and was a promotional item for Old Judge Cigarettes. These cards emerged in an era of growing fascination with sports and burgeoning consumer culture. McPhee, a prominent figure in baseball during the late 19th century, is captured here in a moment of action, yet removed from the context of the game. This card marked the beginning of celebrity endorsements and capitalized on the popularity of athletes, intertwining their image with products like tobacco. Consider what it meant to collect these cards: a connection to a player, yes, but also participation in a larger commercial enterprise. The image blurs the line between admiration and advertisement, reflecting the commodification of sports figures and the complex relationship between identity, consumption, and celebrity. How does it feel to hold a piece of history that once lived inside a pack of cigarettes?