Timothy J. Brosnan, 2nd Base, Minneapolis, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887 - 1890

This is a baseball card of Timothy J. Brosnan, a 2nd baseman for Minneapolis, from the Old Judge series for Old Judge Cigarettes, made by Goodwin & Company sometime between 1886 and 1890. These cards offer a fascinating window into late 19th-century America, a time of rapid industrialization and shifting cultural norms. Baseball was becoming the “national pastime,” and these cards, distributed with cigarettes, reflect the growing commercialization of sports and the intertwining of leisure with consumption. In a society deeply divided by class, race, and gender, baseball and its ephemera offered a shared cultural experience, albeit one often fraught with inequality. Consider the construction of masculinity in this image, where Brosnan is presented as a strong, stoic figure. This card contributed to the mythology of the American athlete, while simultaneously advertising a product linked to addiction and health risks. How do we reconcile the allure of these cards with the knowledge of the societal costs associated with tobacco? They invite us to reflect on the complex interplay between sports, commerce, and identity in American history.