James Francis "Pud" Galvin, Pitcher, Pittsburgh, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

Curator: Alright, let's dive in. This is a baseball card from the "Old Judge" series, circa 1887. It features James Francis "Pud" Galvin, a pitcher for Pittsburgh. Goodwin & Company produced it for Old Judge Cigarettes. So, basically, it's a piece of advertising art. Editor: My first thought? Dignified, almost melancholic. Look at him, striking a pose that seems more fitting for a politician than an athlete. There's this real sense of the era's formality imposed even on its sports heroes. Curator: That formality, as you put it, is very deliberate. Baseball in the late 19th century was still solidifying its place in American culture. The players wanted to present themselves as respectable figures. The fact it was an advertising medium is so critical— baseball was attempting to create the public’s imagery of its players. Editor: And that serious expression feels at odds with the inherent playfulness of the game. Although it is more formal portraiture than some action shot that captures an essential idea about athleticism. Curator: Absolutely. Also, note how Galvin isn’t in a dynamic pitching pose. He’s standing almost at ease with one hand at his hip, leaning on a wooden bat—not exactly a high-octane depiction of athletic prowess! It reflects the slower pace of the game, and how celebrity portraiture in that time was all about dignity. The studio photographers of the time like Napoleon Sarony deeply shaped how these sportsmen presented themselves. Editor: True, he looks almost like a country doctor about to offer you a cigarette. But even with the constraints, I see glimpses of individuality. A cocked eyebrow, a certain set to his jaw. I wonder, does his nickname, “Pud,” hint at something less serious than this picture implies? Maybe the card designers thought that would warm him to his smoking fans? Curator: Possibly! Consider the context—these cards weren’t exactly hung in art galleries. They were promotional items stuffed in cigarette packs, a sort of pre-internet version of the meme. I am certain this added greatly to the popular culture and lore of the time, solidifying his image to so many people— particularly fans in Pittsburgh. Editor: Makes me want to learn more about the real "Pud" Galvin behind this carefully crafted image. It is just great to be able to think what this all might have meant at the time. Thanks for that! Curator: A real pleasure! Thanks for joining me.