Buckley, Catcher, Indianapolis, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887 - 1890

This photographic print, made by Goodwin & Company in the late 19th century, wasn't intended as high art, but as a collectible insert for Old Judge Cigarettes. The sepia tone suggests an albumen print, a process using egg whites to bind the photographic chemicals to the paper. This technique was popular at the time for its relative ease and the warm tones it produced. The mass production of these cards speaks volumes about the industrialization of leisure. Baseball was becoming a national pastime, and tobacco companies were eager to capitalize on its popularity. The card itself is a product of labor, from the photographers and printers to the factory workers who assembled the cigarettes and inserted these cards. The image, of Buckley, an Indianapolis catcher, is thus not just a portrait, but a testament to the intertwined histories of sport, industry, and consumption. Considering the card's original context helps us appreciate the craftsmanship and commercial forces behind it, challenging the traditional hierarchy between fine art and everyday objects.