Fullmer and Tucker, Baltimore Orioles, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This is a photographic print of two Baltimore Orioles baseball players, Fullmer and Tucker, made in 1888 by Goodwin & Company as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. Produced during a time of burgeoning mass media, these cards were distributed with tobacco products, capitalizing on the growing popularity of baseball and photography. This intersection of sport, commerce, and visual culture reflects a significant shift in American society. As leisure time increased, so did the desire for entertainment and the means to consume it. Cigarette cards like this one offered fans an accessible way to engage with their favorite players and teams. We, as historians, can delve deeper into the context of this image, examining the business practices of tobacco companies, the evolution of baseball as a professional sport, and the role of photography in shaping public perception. Through archival research, we can uncover the social, economic, and cultural forces that shaped this seemingly simple baseball card. By doing so, we can gain a richer understanding of America during the late 19th century.