William J. Frey, Left Field, St. Joseph Clay Eaters, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887 - 1890

Editor: Here we have William J. Frey, Left Field, St. Joseph Clay Eaters, a print made sometime between 1887 and 1890 by Goodwin & Company, part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. The sepia tones and slightly damaged card give it such an antique feel. What can you tell me about this baseball card? Curator: Well, it's more than just a picture of a baseball player, isn’t it? Consider the context. These cards were essentially advertisements included with cigarette packs. It highlights the burgeoning commercial relationship between leisure, sports, and consumerism at the end of the 19th century. Frey isn’t just an athlete; he is also an object, a piece of propaganda used to sell something. Does knowing this change your perspective? Editor: It does. So, the image itself isn't really about Frey as an individual, but more about baseball as a product, a spectacle to draw people to cigarettes? Curator: Precisely. Think about the role baseball was starting to play in society at the time—a growing national pastime, reflecting ideas of American identity and masculinity. To have it linked to cigarette smoking, it’s about aligning those aspirational ideals with this product. A lot is said in these visual connections. It reveals something about how sports became interwoven within broader commercial strategies and also became icons, available and replicable to the masses. Editor: It’s interesting how these cards were trying to shape and sell not just a product, but also a cultural identity around leisure and aspiration. Curator: Exactly! Studying it this way allows us to understand art as a social force, shaping our culture, ideas, and how individuals identify with it. I will definitely think differently when opening my next pack of cards!