Harkins, Pitcher, Baltimore Orioles, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This photographic print, picturing Harkins the baseball pitcher, was created around 1886 by Goodwin & Company as part of a series of promotional baseball cards for Old Judge Cigarettes. Back then, photography was a relatively new medium. To make this image, Harkins would have had to sit very still for an extended period so that the camera could capture enough light. The sepia tones create an antique feel, reminding us of the past. These cards weren't originally intended as art, but as a promotional item meant to be collected. In a way, this speaks to the democratizing potential of photography, making images of baseball players accessible to a wide audience through mass production. It's interesting to consider how something initially designed for commerce can gain artistic and historical significance over time. This piece encourages us to look at the images that surround us every day, and recognize their deeper cultural value.