William "California" Brown, Catcher, New York, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887 - 1890

Goodwin & Company produced this small baseball card for Old Judge Cigarettes in the late 19th century. It features William "California" Brown, a catcher for the New York team. These cards were originally packaged with cigarettes, revealing much about the period’s popular culture and marketing strategies. Sport was becoming increasingly professionalized and commercialized. The catcher’s protective gear is a reminder of the physical demands of the sport, and the lack of advanced safety measures. The fact that Brown, like other athletes, became a figure of public interest speaks to the changing notions of celebrity and the increasing role of sports in American society. The mass production of these cards also reflects the growth of consumer culture, linking personal identity to the consumption of commodities. Consider how the mass media of the time helped shape perceptions of athletes like Brown and the broader narratives of American identity.