Dell Darling, Catcher, Chicago, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This card, featuring Dell Darling, a catcher for the Chicago team, was made by Goodwin & Company in 1887 as a promotional insert for Old Judge Cigarettes. Printed on a small piece of cardstock, it is a modest artifact of early advertising. The sepia-toned image shows Darling in his baseball uniform. The printing process, most likely lithography, allowed for mass production, linking cultural icons with consumer products. But what's easily overlooked is the labor involved in harvesting the tobacco, manufacturing the cigarettes, printing the cards, and distributing them. These cards were not just about baseball; they were about building brand loyalty and driving sales in a rapidly industrializing America. Today, the card has transcended its original purpose, becoming a valuable piece of sports memorabilia, and a window into the intertwined histories of commerce, sport, and labor. It encourages us to consider the full picture of production.