James Henry O'Rourke, 3rd Base, New York, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

Editor: This is "James Henry O'Rourke, 3rd Base, New York" from the "Old Judge" series, a c-print photograph from 1889 by Goodwin & Company. The image feels posed and very formal. What do you make of it? Curator: The formality you sense speaks volumes. Consider this image not just as a portrait of an athlete, but as a document reflecting the socio-political climate of late 19th-century America. How does it make you think about the commodification of sports and celebrity at the time, particularly through the lens of capitalist enterprise—the Old Judge Cigarette factory? Editor: I guess I hadn’t considered that it was an advertisement. Does that change how we should view O’Rourke himself? Curator: Absolutely. His image is being used to sell a product, contributing to a system where individual identity becomes intertwined with economic gain. Also consider who had access to these images. Who was consuming these cigarettes, and how did these images perpetuate ideas about masculinity and success? Think about how images of predominantly white athletes, like O'Rourke, often overshadowed athletes from marginalized communities. How does this impact the historical narrative of baseball? Editor: So, the image isn't just about baseball; it's also about commerce, representation, and who gets to be seen. Curator: Precisely. By interrogating the photograph’s function as a promotional tool, we reveal a network of power relations that shape our understanding of history and culture. Who is seen and who is left out reflects the ideologies of the period. What stories are silenced, and what values are implicitly endorsed? Editor: Wow, I'll never look at a baseball card the same way again. Curator: That’s the goal, isn't it? To look deeper, to question, and to understand the complex web of social forces that shape even the seemingly simple images we encounter.