William J. "Bill" Collins, Catcher, New York, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This baseball card from 1887, produced by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge Cigarettes, features William J. "Bill" Collins, a catcher for New York. Produced during the late 19th century, a period marked by rapid industrialization and the rise of consumer culture, baseball cards like these were originally included in cigarette packs as a marketing strategy. Reflecting a time when racial segregation was deeply entrenched in American society, these cards predominantly featured white athletes, reinforcing prevailing racial hierarchies. It’s interesting to consider how the popular image of athletes like Collins helped construct a particular vision of American identity, one that often excluded or marginalized people of color. While Collins’ individual story remains somewhat elusive, his image serves as a time capsule, encapsulating both the excitement surrounding early baseball and the exclusionary practices of the era. These cards were more than simple advertisements, they were cultural artifacts that mirrored and helped shape societal values and biases.