Warren William "Hick" Carpenter, 3rd Base, Cincinnati, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This baseball card featuring Warren William "Hick" Carpenter, was produced by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge Cigarettes. These cards weren't exactly art for art's sake; they were printed, mass-produced photographs inserted into cigarette packs. The sepia tones give it an antique feel, but back then, this was cutting-edge. The image of Carpenter in action, sliding into third base, has a raw, unposed quality, likely captured using new photographic methods. The mass-produced nature speaks volumes about the rise of consumer culture, and the industrialization of leisure. Think about the labor involved: from the photographers, to the printing press operators, and the factory workers packing cigarettes, all fueled by the booming tobacco industry. These cards helped build a sense of community around the sport. They reflect a time when even everyday objects could carry a powerful cultural punch.