Frank T. Gilmore, Pitcher, Washington Nationals, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This vintage baseball card of Frank T. Gilmore, a pitcher for the Washington Nationals, was made in 1887 as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series by Goodwin & Company. These cards emerged during a period of burgeoning commercialism and evolving social norms. While seemingly a simple promotional item, this card embodies layers of cultural meaning. Note the rigid pose, a stark contrast to today's action shots, reflecting the era's formal portraiture. The card served to promote cigarettes, a product intertwined with notions of masculinity and leisure in the late 19th century. Moreover, consider the representation of athletes like Gilmore, who became early celebrities, their images traded and collected, foreshadowing the commodification of sports figures. These cards offer glimpses into the making of celebrity culture, the construction of identity, and the intersection of sport, commerce, and American society.