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

This photographic print from 1888 by Goodwin & Company is a baseball card from the Old Judge Cigarettes series, featuring Cunningham, a pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles. These cards emerged during a period of increasing commercialism and the rise of baseball as America’s pastime. Consider the cultural context: baseball was becoming deeply intertwined with notions of American identity and masculinity. Yet, these cards, distributed with tobacco products, also highlight the pervasive marketing tactics targeting consumers, linking athleticism with harmful habits. The image also reflects the racial segregation of the time; professional baseball was largely a white domain. While the photograph appears straightforward, it prompts us to reflect on who was included—and excluded—from the narratives of American success and leisure. It underscores how seemingly simple images can reveal complex layers of social and economic history.