Mattimore, Pitcher, Philadelphia Athletics, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This is Mattimore, Pitcher, Philadelphia Athletics, a baseball card created by Goodwin & Company in 1888 as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. These cards emerged during a time of growing enthusiasm for baseball, yet they also coincided with the rise of mass marketing and the pervasive presence of tobacco companies. The image of Mattimore captures not just an athlete but a cultural moment where sports, commerce, and identity converged. The pose, while seemingly dynamic, is carefully constructed, reflecting the era's approach to portraiture. As a commodity, the card participates in the construction of Mattimore's identity, turning him into a public figure whose image is circulated and consumed. Consider the emotional investment fans placed in these cards, collecting and trading them as tokens of admiration. It's a system that both celebrates and commodifies athletic prowess. This tension between admiration and commodification continues to shape sports and celebrity culture today.