Shaw, Pitcher, Baltimore Orioles, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This is a photograph of Shaw, a pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles, made around 1888 by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge Cigarettes. These cards were originally created as promotional items, inserted into cigarette packs to stiffen them and entice consumers, but they quickly became collectibles, and they document the emergence of baseball as a popular spectacle. The image presents Shaw in a posed manner, his hands clasped, perhaps representing the concentration and skill required of a pitcher. The sepia tone evokes a sense of nostalgia, connecting us to the late 19th century when the sport was solidifying its place in American culture. These cards were part of a larger cultural shift, linking leisure activities with consumerism. To understand the significance of these cards, we might delve into archival research about the Goodwin Company, the history of baseball, and the rise of mass advertising. Examining these social and institutional contexts helps us see how the image creates meaning.