William C. Crossley, Catcher, Milwaukee, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

Editor: We're looking at "William C. Crossley, Catcher, Milwaukee," a photograph printed for Old Judge Cigarettes in 1889. It has an interesting sepia tone. As a small trading card, it gives this figure of an athlete a quiet, nostalgic feel. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: What interests me is its context. These baseball cards were distributed with cigarette packs, transforming the idea of the 'sporting hero' into a commodity, literally packaged and sold alongside a product linked to addiction and health risks. Editor: So, it's not just about baseball then? Curator: Exactly. Consider the social landscape. The late 19th century saw a surge in both professional sports and consumer culture. This card embodies how these two intersected. How did the commercialization of sport affect its perception and accessibility to the public? Editor: That’s a compelling point. It almost feels exploitative in a way, using Crossley's image to sell cigarettes. Did athletes have any agency in this? Curator: That's a complex question, and often, the answer is no. The power dynamic between companies and athletes was heavily skewed. These cards also reveal the emerging cult of celebrity and how photography played a crucial role in its dissemination. Consider, too, who was excluded: where are the women or people of color represented in these early commercial depictions of athletes? Editor: Wow, I never considered that. I was so focused on the simplicity of the image. Curator: Precisely! Analyzing art through its historical and social frameworks gives us the language to discuss those issues. Editor: That has definitely reframed how I see this, going from a simple baseball card to something that really represents the birth of sports marketing, for better or worse. Thanks for the insights.