Charles F. Whitney, 3rd Base, St. Joseph Clay Eaters, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

Editor: This is a baseball card from 1889, featuring Charles F. Whitney, a third baseman for the St. Joseph Clay Eaters. It's a gelatin silver print, produced by Goodwin & Company as part of their "Old Judge" cigarette series. The sepia tone gives it this incredible aged feeling. What strikes me is the very formal pose, it's unlike any baseball card I have seen; so proper. What are your thoughts? Curator: Well, first off, I adore these glimpses into bygone eras. They’re like little time capsules, aren't they? You know, the formal pose you mentioned, I find that interesting, too. Think about it – photography was still relatively new then. It was likely seen as a rather serious, important undertaking. It's a world far removed from our constant, casual selfies! And while it’s documenting an athlete, I see it almost as a form of early advertising art. These cards weren't just about baseball; they were enticing people to buy cigarettes, a real collision of worlds! Does knowing that make you see it in a new light? Editor: Definitely! The idea that it's essentially an ad is fascinating. I was so focused on the baseball aspect and its photographic style, that the commercial intention was totally lost on me! Curator: Right? And that changes the dynamic, I think. Now, looking at the almost ghostly quality of the gelatin silver print, does it evoke a sense of nostalgia? A sense of faded glory? Editor: Absolutely, there is such a great and slightly romantic aura around the piece now. Thanks for shifting my perspective! I think that I understand how the past is always built from these small relics. Curator: Exactly! It makes you wonder what seemingly insignificant images we create today might tell future generations about us. That thought alone gives me chills.