Fred "Dandelion" Pfeffer, 2nd Base, Chicago, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

Goodwin & Company produced this baseball card of Fred "Dandelion" Pfeffer for Old Judge Cigarettes in 1888. Consider the convergence of commerce, celebrity, and leisure in late 19th-century America, as baseball emerged as a national pastime amid industrialization. The card is a study in the construction of masculinity, with Pfeffer’s sturdy stance and direct gaze embodying an ideal of American athleticism. Yet, this image also obscures the labor behind the sport, a game built not only on talent but also on working-class aspirations and, increasingly, commercial interests. Pfeffer's nickname "Dandelion" adds another layer, hinting at a complex persona beneath the veneer of athletic prowess. These cards were both a celebration of sporting heroes and a marketing tool, reflecting and shaping desires and values.