Nyce, Pitcher, St. Louis Whites, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

Editor: Here we have a fascinating albumen print from 1888, "Nyce, Pitcher, St. Louis Whites, from the Old Judge series," produced by Goodwin & Company. The photograph presents a full portrait of a baseball player, Fred Nyce. What strikes me most is how this image blurs the line between sport and commercial product, with the “Old Judge Cigarettes” prominently displayed. How should we interpret this relationship? Curator: That's a very insightful observation! This card isn't just about celebrating athletic prowess; it’s deeply embedded in the burgeoning culture of consumerism and the commercialization of sport in the late 19th century. Cigarette companies used these cards as collectibles, a strategy to boost sales and brand loyalty. Think about the socio-political implications: baseball, already a popular pastime, gets intertwined with a product we now understand to be harmful. It speaks to how imagery could be manipulated to promote consumption habits. Editor: So, these cards functioned as miniature advertisements, leveraging the popularity of baseball to normalize cigarette smoking? Curator: Precisely. The idealized image of an athlete like Nyce, in his prime, subtly equates athleticism with the 'Old Judge' brand. This raises critical questions about the ethics of advertising and how cultural institutions, in this case sports and collectible cards, were used to shape public opinion. Editor: I see how the card reflects the socio-political and commercial landscape of the time. This puts the image and its context into a sharper critical light. Curator: Indeed. Looking at art as part of a broader network of social practices really enriches our understanding. The artwork becomes a key artifact, revealing connections between image, power and consumption.