Arlie Latham, 3rd Base, St. Louis Browns, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This albumen silver print of Arlie Latham, captured by Goodwin & Company in 1889, was originally made as a baseball card for Old Judge Cigarettes. These cards were a clever marketing strategy during a time when the sport was rapidly gaining popularity, but was also riddled with class and gambling controversies. Latham, an Irish-American, was known for his flamboyant personality, his aggressive base running, and his comedic antics on the field, playing during an era of growing social and ethnic diversity in sports. Although he was a talented player, baseball cards like this also reveal how athletes were marketed and consumed as commodities. The image highlights not just Latham's athletic prowess but also the commercialization of sports and the intertwining of leisure, identity, and consumption in American culture. The image is a window into the complex social dynamics of the late 19th century, subtly reflecting broader themes of immigration, labor, and the evolving notions of American identity.