Robert E. Burks, Shortstop, Sioux City Corn Huskers, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

This is a card depicting Robert E. Burks, a shortstop for the Sioux City Corn Huskers, made by Goodwin & Company as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. Produced in 1889, this card encapsulates the burgeoning commercialization of sports in the United States. Note how the image is less about artistry and more about advertising. The Old Judge Cigarette Factory, based in New York, used these cards as promotional items, inserting them into cigarette packs. This was a deliberate attempt to appeal to a broad consumer base, linking the all-American sport of baseball with their product. These cards also played a role in shaping the cultural perception of baseball players, turning them into recognizable figures. Studying the history of advertising and consumer culture would provide a more robust understanding of these images. The meaning of this baseball card is contingent on its place within the growing advertising industry.