Schildknecht, Catcher, Milwaukee, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This baseball card was made by Goodwin & Company, sometime between 1850 and 1950, as part of a promotional series for Old Judge Cigarettes. The card is made using photographic printing techniques, allowing for the mass production of images on a small scale. Consider the social context: mass-produced baseball cards allowed everyday people to participate in the excitement of the sport. They are very much tied to the rise of industrialization and consumer culture. The card material, thin and light, could easily be included in packs of cigarettes, linking a leisurely activity with tobacco consumption. The photographic image has a sepia tone, which lends the card a nostalgic feel. The texture and weight of the card contribute to its value as a collectible item. The card is a small, intimate object, inviting close inspection and contemplation of the player's image and accomplishments. The material, making, and context of this baseball card, blurs the lines between fine art and craft.