John Ewing, Pitcher, Louisville Colonels, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

This is a promotional card for Old Judge Cigarettes, likely produced in the late 1880s by Goodwin & Company, featuring John Ewing, a pitcher for the Louisville Colonels. The card's modest size speaks to its original function, inserted into cigarette packs. It's made with the photolithography process, which allowed images to be printed in mass, tying into the rise of consumer culture. The sepia tone results from chemical reactions that give depth to the image. The photographic image is interesting: rather than an action shot, Ewing is presented with an idealised pose. This speaks to the way photography was used at the time to enhance the brand identity. The design of these cards, and their widespread distribution, contributed to the early growth of baseball's popularity. Looking closely at this card, we can appreciate the blend of commerce, sport, and photographic techniques that helped shape our understanding of culture.