Caruthers, Pitcher, Brooklyn, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This is a baseball card, made around 1888 by Goodwin & Company, as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. These cards were originally included in cigarette packs as a marketing tool, a sign of the growing commercialization of leisure. Note the slightly staged pose of Caruthers, the Brooklyn pitcher. The image creates meaning through visual codes, placing him against an indistinct background, focusing attention on the individual player. This was a time when baseball was rapidly gaining popularity, solidifying its place in American culture. As the game grew, so did the commercial interests surrounding it. The fact that a cigarette company was using baseball players to promote their product indicates the increasing intersection of sports, advertising, and consumerism. Understanding these cards requires considering the history of baseball, the rise of advertising, and the social norms of the late 19th century. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context and can be better understood through the careful study of sources.