George Quintus Shoch, Right Field, Washington Nationals, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This albumen silver print was produced in 1887 by Goodwin & Company as a promotional card for Old Judge Cigarettes. It depicts George Quintus Shoch, right fielder for the Washington Nationals. These cards were part of a larger cultural phenomenon: the rise of mass media and consumer culture. In the late 19th century, technological advances in printing and photography made it possible to produce images cheaply and on a large scale. Companies like Goodwin & Company seized on this opportunity, using images of popular figures like baseball players to promote their products. The images were a draw for consumers. The baseball cards were collected and traded, creating a sense of community among fans. Studying the imagery of the cards and the adverts on them allows us to understand more about the values and beliefs of the time. Examining the archives of the Goodwin & Company will also help us understand the impact it had on popular culture in America.