Alexander Bennett "Ben" Sanders, Pitcher, Philadelphia, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887 - 1890

Editor: This is a piece called "Alexander Bennett 'Ben' Sanders, Pitcher, Philadelphia," made sometime between 1887 and 1890 by Goodwin & Company. It's a photographic print originally distributed as a trade card for Old Judge Cigarettes. The sepia tone gives it such an antique feel, but I wonder, what can you tell us about the context surrounding its creation and distribution? Curator: This card speaks volumes about the burgeoning commercialization of leisure and celebrity culture in the late 19th century. Tobacco companies like Goodwin & Company aggressively used the likenesses of baseball players to promote their products. It wasn’t just about selling cigarettes; it was about aligning the brand with ideals of athleticism and American identity. These cards were hugely popular and are, in some ways, early forms of advertising as art. Editor: So it’s about baseball as a developing part of US popular culture and the cigarette industry. It feels like a real shift in marketing compared to older portraiture practices. Were the athletes compensated for their images being used this way? Curator: That's a crucial question. Often, these players received little or no compensation. Their images were commodities, reinforcing the power dynamics of the time. Consider also the role of the photographer and the distribution networks – newspapers, stores, even mail – all contributing to the widespread circulation of these images. How does this image play into the overall perception of baseball, and the players involved, at that moment in time? Editor: Knowing that players weren't compensated makes it harder to see this card simply as a celebration of the sport; it brings in questions about labor and representation. This feels much more like cultural artifact, revealing layers about society beyond just baseball. Curator: Precisely. This little card is an index of so much more than just a baseball player. It touches on celebrity, commercialism, and labor, and it really encourages us to interrogate those power structures that often hide beneath seemingly harmless imagery. Editor: I never would have looked at a baseball card in this way before. Thank you!