Fred "Sure Shot" Dunlap, Captain, Pittsburgh, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This is Fred "Sure Shot" Dunlap, Captain of Pittsburgh, a photographic print made in the United States as part of the Old Judge series for Old Judge Cigarettes in 1888. The image offers a glimpse into the intertwined histories of commercial culture and the burgeoning sport of baseball in late 19th century America. Printed on trading cards, images like these were distributed with consumer products like tobacco to promote brand recognition and customer loyalty. The picture creates meaning through visual codes and cultural references: Dunlap’s pose, holding his bat, constructs him as a heroic figure. The image reflects a moment when baseball was becoming professionalized and commercialized. Such images of players helped to build their celebrity, turning working-class athletes into household names. In turn, this popularity was used to promote consumer goods. To understand this image better, we might research the history of baseball, advertising, and the popular press. These resources would shed light on how sporting heroes were manufactured and consumed in this period.