William "California" Brown, Catcher, New York, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

Goodwin & Company created this trade card of William "California" Brown, a catcher for New York, as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. The subdued sepia tone across the card creates a certain mood. The use of vertical lines in Brown’s striped shirt contrasts with the horizontal set of the baseball bat. Brown's relaxed stance, with one hand on his hip, projects an easy confidence. This card, distributed to promote cigarettes, also functioned within the cultural and economic structures of its time. It reflects the growing commercialization of baseball and the use of celebrity endorsement, as well as the rise of mass media, and the appeal of baseball figures as cultural icons. It speaks volumes about the intersections of sport, commerce, and identity in the late 19th century. By analyzing the card’s composition, materiality, and context, we can decode the cultural codes and values embedded within it.