William "Buck" Ewing, Captain and Catcher, New York, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This is William "Buck" Ewing, Captain and Catcher for New York, a baseball card created around 1887 by Goodwin & Company as part of the Old Judge series to promote their cigarettes. Consider the cultural moment: baseball was rapidly gaining popularity, and commercial strategies like these cards helped to solidify its place in American society. Yet this commercial image also highlights a moment in which ideas about masculinity were shifting. We see Ewing not in a moment of action, but captured in a pose, his body language conveying a sense of controlled readiness. This card subtly merges athletic prowess with an emerging idea of the composed, modern man. The sepia tone lends a nostalgic feel, inviting us to reflect on the intertwined histories of sport, commerce, and evolving gender roles in late 19th-century America. It's a fascinating glimpse into how identity was being constructed and marketed during this transformative era.