Arthur Albert "Doc" Irwin, Shortstop, Philadelphia, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This photographic print of Arthur Albert "Doc" Irwin was created by Goodwin & Company in 1887, as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. Made using albumen silver print, a popular photographic process of the late 19th century, the image begins with coating paper with a layer of albumen - or egg white - and then silver nitrate, creating a light-sensitive surface. This was then exposed using a negative, fixed, and washed to produce a sepia toned print. The method was prized for its ability to produce finely detailed images. This was essential for commercial purposes like this one, where clarity and quality were needed to promote the brand. This card was included in packets of cigarettes, linking the rising popularity of baseball with tobacco consumption, creating a novel form of advertising that capitalized on the public's passion for sport. The mass production of these cards reflects the growing industrialization and consumer culture of the time. This conflation of craft, commerce and entertainment invites us to consider the wider social and economic forces that shape what we value as art.