Schoeneck, 1st Base, Indianapolis, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This photographic print of Schoeneck, the first baseman for Indianapolis, was made by Goodwin & Company in 1888 as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. These cards weren't just innocent keepsakes; they were integral to the marketing strategies of the time. Consider how the image operates within its specific cultural context. Baseball was rapidly growing in popularity in the late 19th century, becoming intertwined with notions of American identity, leisure, and commerce. This card, distributed with cigarettes, links the consumption of tobacco with the excitement of the sport, targeting a male audience. The photograph itself is a carefully constructed representation, contributing to the romanticization of baseball players as heroic figures. To fully grasp the card's significance, we must consider the economic and social landscape of the era. Researching advertising history and the growth of baseball as a commercial enterprise would be useful. Art, in this case, isn't just about aesthetics, it's a reflection of the values and structures of its time.