William H. "Bill" Barnes, Manager, St. Paul Apostles, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

Editor: So this is William H. "Bill" Barnes, Manager, St. Paul Apostles, a collotype print from 1889, as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. The sepia tones give it a somewhat antiquated feel, but I’m curious about the purpose of a baseball manager's portrait being on a cigarette card. What are your initial thoughts on this piece? Curator: It's fascinating to consider this portrait not simply as an image of an individual, but as a social artifact. We see here the convergence of sports, celebrity culture, and the aggressive marketing tactics of the tobacco industry during that era. Who was valorized, and how? The visual culture produced by tobacco companies naturalized social hierarchies through the targeted promotion to, in this case, a male demographic. Does it raise any questions about power, gender, and class dynamics? Editor: Definitely. It seems like a clear advertisement technique. Was there any effort made at the time to question it, or was it generally accepted? Curator: There was a growing awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco, even in the late 19th century, and with that, increasing criticism of the industry’s manipulative advertising practices. But it's essential to remember how deeply embedded tobacco use was in social rituals. This card becomes a battleground for ideologies, subtly reinforcing a lifestyle, while downplaying public health concerns. And consider that celebrity culture has also had impacts on valorizing certain ideals. Do you think that cigarette cards that depicted ball players helped develop a sense of camaraderie and escapism from work life? Editor: Yes, I can totally see how the collectability of these cards contributed to that escapism and camaraderie and it continues with trading cards today. It highlights the pervasiveness of marketing, and raises pertinent questions about ethical consumption then and now. Curator: Exactly. This seemingly simple baseball card unlocks complex conversations about the shaping of cultural values.