Edward Hugh "Ned" Hanlon, Center Field, Pittsburgh, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This small photograph of Ned Hanlon, a center fielder for Pittsburgh, was produced in the United States as a promotional item for Old Judge Cigarettes. In the late 19th century, baseball cards like this one became popular, reflecting the growing commercialization of sports and the rise of consumer culture. Companies like Goodwin & Company recognized the marketing potential of associating their products with popular figures. The cards were included in cigarette packs, enticing customers to collect the whole set. Hanlon, like other athletes, became a public figure through this mass-produced image. Baseball cards, at first glance, seem like simple collectibles. But they also offer valuable insights into the social values of the time. If we examine such cultural artifacts we can better understand the relationship between sports, commerce, and the construction of fame. By exploring these historical and cultural contexts, we gain a deeper understanding of the role of institutions, economics, and the values of the period when the art was produced.