Samuel J. "Skyrocket" Smith, 1st Base, Louisville Colonels, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887 - 1890

This late nineteenth-century card, printed by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge Cigarettes, depicts Samuel J. "Skyrocket" Smith, a first baseman for the Louisville Colonels. These cards, inserted into cigarette packs, were early forms of advertising, but they also reveal much about the era's social and cultural values. Made in the United States, this image reflects the burgeoning popularity of baseball and the rise of consumer culture. Note the way that baseball is being used to sell cigarettes. The image of Smith, caught in a moment of action, suggests the dynamism and excitement of the sport. The commercial context of the card – advertising tobacco products – hints at the ubiquity of smoking at the time and the aggressive marketing strategies employed by companies. To fully understand this card, we need to consider its place within the history of baseball, advertising, and tobacco consumption. Sources like trade publications and business records can reveal much about the institutional and social dynamics at play. Ultimately, this seemingly simple baseball card offers a window into the complex social and economic forces that shaped American culture.