Dave Orr, 1st Base, Brooklyn Bridegrooms, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This small photographic card of Dave Orr, first baseman for the Brooklyn Bridegrooms, was produced in 1888 by Goodwin & Company as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. These cards were originally inserted into cigarette packs as a promotional item, linking the emerging sport of baseball with the widespread habit of smoking. The image is relatively simple, showing Orr in his uniform, holding a bat. The commercial context of this image is crucial. The late 19th century was a period of rapid industrialization and the rise of consumer culture. Tobacco companies were among the first to use mass advertising techniques to promote their products, and these baseball cards were an innovative way to reach a broad audience and associate their brand with the popular sport. Studying advertising history, business archives, and the social history of baseball can provide a deeper understanding of the cultural forces that shaped the production and consumption of such images. The meaning of art is contingent on social and institutional context.