Arlie Latham, 3rd Base, St. Louis Browns, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1886

This late 19th century baseball card was printed by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge Cigarettes, likely using a photolithographic process. These small cards were made to be collected, traded, and used for advertising. Looking closely, you can see the limited tonal range afforded by early photographic printing. The sepia tone gives the image a nostalgic quality, yet it also reflects the industrial processes of mass production. These cards were churned out in vast quantities. The image of Arlie Latham isn’t just a portrait; it's a commodity, intimately linked to the marketing of tobacco. It is interesting to consider how photography intersects with baseball. Both emerged as popular phenomena during the rise of industrial capitalism. The baseball card elevated everyday life to the realm of collectible art. It challenged traditional notions of artistic value, finding beauty in the mundane, and connecting the worlds of commerce, sport, and visual culture.