Glasscock, Shortstop, Indianapolis, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

Editor: Here we have "Glasscock, Shortstop, Indianapolis," a photo print from 1887, part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series by Goodwin & Company. It’s striking how posed and still it feels, almost like a tableau vivant rather than a candid shot of a baseball player. What jumps out at you when you look at it? Curator: You know, what's always fascinated me about these early baseball cards is the sheer artificiality, almost a precious quality, juxtaposed with this rough and tumble sport. It's like finding a delicate porcelain doll on a battlefield. The player's posture, bent at the waist, hands resting on his knees – it’s a moment of anticipatory stillness. I find it funny that cigarette companies sponsored these. Do you see any interesting symbolism in it? Editor: I didn't really notice that. Symbolism wasn't really what I had in mind. I mostly wondered about how baseball players trained back then. But I can see that connection. Cigarettes represent fleeting moments. It seems like the photographer captured one of those moments. Curator: Exactly. It makes you consider the ephemeral nature of fame. What lingers after the game? After the smoke clears? It becomes about memory. Even though photography promises to capture reality, it's clear here it's constructing a reality, and perhaps an aspiration. This staged moment is being peddled as authentic. Isn't it clever how they have intertwined the cigarettes with this baseball player? I almost feel like taking a smoking break! Editor: You're right, there's a story beyond just the image itself. I never really thought about it that way, as being "constructed," if that makes sense? I might look into cigarette card promotions. Curator: I think understanding how our history and culture play into artworks gives you a better glimpse. You just have to open yourself up. And the cigarette ad is pretty cool!