William D. "Billy" Shindle, 3rd Base, Philadelphia, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

This small photographic print of William D. "Billy" Shindle was created by Goodwin & Company in the late 1880s as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. These cards reflect a moment when baseball was becoming America's pastime and advertising was rapidly evolving. The Old Judge series was produced to promote cigarette sales and to capitalize on the popularity of baseball. The image itself, though seemingly straightforward, is laden with social and economic meaning. Shindle, a professional athlete, is presented as a figure of aspiration, implicitly linking him to the pleasure and status associated with smoking. The commercialization of baseball, and of celebrity, was underway. Understanding this image requires us to explore the history of advertising, the rise of professional sports, and the social attitudes towards smoking in the late 19th century. Resources like period newspapers, advertising archives, and baseball history databases can provide deeper insight into its cultural significance. Ultimately, this card is a reminder that art, even in its most commercial forms, is embedded in a complex web of social and institutional forces.