Clark Calvin "Old Fox" Griffith, Pitcher, Milwaukee, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

Curator: The Goodwin & Company piece, dating back to 1889, showcases Clark Calvin "Old Fox" Griffith, a pitcher for Milwaukee. It’s from the "Old Judge" series of baseball cards distributed with Old Judge Cigarettes. Editor: What a stoic pose! There’s something so archetypal about this young man with a bat—ready for action but utterly self-contained. He really does look rather fox-like, watchful and intelligent. Curator: The name surely stuck because of that very association! These cards, part of a much larger series, offer us a glimpse into the early professionalization of baseball and the commodification of its players. This form of photography democratized image consumption, becoming available to everyday smokers. Editor: Exactly! Think about the implications—tobacco companies leveraging these figures, baseball as entertainment intertwined with an unhealthy addiction. Even his stance radiates this subtle tension, between innocence and endorsement, potential, and commercial interest. Baseball itself took on iconic qualities beyond a simple game, and still holds this powerful memory today. Curator: These baseball cards document shifting social trends too. Tobacco use had a long presence but was then rising during this period and the accessibility of imagery changed dramatically. I see this print, though seemingly small and specific, revealing some aspects about mass production of entertainment, commodified icons and commercial strategies using such figures. Editor: Absolutely, the "Old Fox" Griffith looks like the kind of fox you can rely on and relate to. An innocent promoter of something completely destructive. The association and iconography here makes me think about what the fans in those days felt about the baseball figures on the field and the cigarettes they bought from the industry, both perhaps providing similar coping experiences in a world of overwhelming changes. Curator: Indeed, exploring this unassuming image opens pathways into a landscape far larger than a simple baseball card might suggest. Editor: Agreed. It serves as a potent reminder that even the smallest objects carry vast cultural weight, ripe for excavation and re-evaluation.