George F. "Piano Legs" Gore, Center Field, New York, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This photographic print of George F. "Piano Legs" Gore was created in the United States by Goodwin & Company around 1888, as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. It is fascinating to consider how mass culture was being shaped in the late 19th century. The image creates meaning through its visual codes. Baseball was gaining popularity as a national pastime, and celebrity athletes became marketable figures. Cigarette companies used their images to promote their products and these cards, like this one, were inserted into cigarette packs to encourage collecting. The relationship between commerce, leisure, and celebrity culture, as seen in this image, reflects the social conditions of the Gilded Age. This image serves as a reminder that art and visual culture are always embedded within specific historical, social, and economic contexts. Examining company records and publications from the time can help us better understand this phenomenon. Ultimately, this work reflects how cultural values are always contingent on social and institutional contexts.