Arthur Albert "Doc" Irwin, Shortstop, Philadelphia, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

This is a photographic print of Arthur Albert "Doc" Irwin, a shortstop for Philadelphia, made in 1889 by Goodwin & Company as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. Produced at a time when baseball was gaining immense popularity, these cards were a clever marketing tactic, binding the consumption of cigarettes with the celebration of athletic prowess. The sepia tone lends it a nostalgic feel, yet the sharp focus on Irwin highlights the emerging cult of the sports hero in late 19th-century America. The backdrop, suggestive of an outdoor arena, hints at the burgeoning commercialization of leisure and entertainment. By examining company records and social histories of baseball, one can see these cards not just as collector's items, but as artifacts of a rapidly changing American society, where sport, commerce, and celebrity culture were becoming increasingly intertwined.