John Joseph "Jocko" Fields, Catcher, Pittsburgh, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This is a baseball card from the Old Judge series, produced by Goodwin & Company in New York in the late 1880s. It features John Joseph "Jocko" Fields, a catcher for Pittsburgh. These cards were originally included in packs of Old Judge Cigarettes. The image offers a glimpse into the commercialization of sports at the time, and how athletes were being used to promote consumer products. Baseball’s growing popularity was carefully fostered by sporting goods manufacturers, the press, and the owners of baseball teams. While team owners sought ways to promote their sport, companies like Goodwin and Company recognized the appeal of baseball players and used them to market their products. We might look into old newspapers, company records, and baseball archives to get a better sense of the context and cultural relevance of this early form of advertising. The history of art intersects with broader economic, social and institutional histories.