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

Editor: Here we have "Shaw, Pitcher, Baltimore Orioles," an albumen print from 1888, part of the Old Judge series by Goodwin & Company. There’s something really captivating about seeing this athlete, captured in such a classic, almost stoic pose. It’s more than just a picture; it feels like a portal into a different era of sports. What kind of social and historical narratives can we unpack here? Curator: Precisely. This image exists within a complex web of commercialism, burgeoning sports culture, and the societal gaze. Albumen prints like this were mass-produced as trade cards, slipped into cigarette packs. Consider the implications of associating athleticism with smoking—a normalized practice then, yet jarring today, reflecting shifts in our understanding of public health and the marketing of harmful products. How does knowing it was used for cigarette advertising impact your view? Editor: It certainly adds another layer! It feels like a contradiction, linking health and...well, the opposite. So, how did race and class factor into this type of imagery at the time? Curator: That's key. The players are almost invariably white, reflecting the racial segregation deeply embedded within professional baseball then and, indeed, wider society. It's vital to ask: Whose stories are amplified and who is deliberately excluded? The idealized image of these sportsmen, disseminated widely, reinforced specific notions of American identity and excluded non-white athletes from mainstream representation. This visual culture played a crucial role in shaping social hierarchies. Does seeing it through this lens change how we perceive the athlete's posture and expression? Editor: Definitely. It’s no longer just about a man throwing a ball; it's about who got the chance to throw that ball and the system that put him on that card. Curator: Absolutely. It serves as a potent reminder of how art, even in the form of a simple baseball card, can perpetuate and reflect power dynamics. I've learned so much today! Editor: This was a valuable way to consider art beyond its aesthetic qualities! Thanks for all the insight!