Paul Cook, Catcher, Louisville Colonels, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This is "Paul Cook, Catcher, Louisville Colonels," a baseball card from the Old Judge series made by Goodwin & Company around 1888. These cards were originally included in packs of Old Judge Cigarettes. The image captures Paul Cook in action, his body in motion, ready to throw. But it's not just about baseball. These cards emerged in a period of intense industrialization and urbanization, a time when baseball was becoming America’s pastime. Consider what it meant to create and consume images of athletes during the late 19th century. These cards offered a vision of masculinity, athleticism, and American identity. And yet, they were also commodities, tools used to sell tobacco products. There’s a tension there – a celebration of the body and the exploitation of it, all wrapped up in a small piece of cardboard. These cards tell us a great deal about how we construct our heroes, our identities, and our desires.