Stovey, Left Field, Philadelphia Athletics, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

Editor: Here we have a photographic print from 1887, titled "Stovey, Left Field, Philadelphia Athletics, from the Old Judge series," produced by Goodwin & Company. The image features a baseball player, Stovey, but what strikes me is its dual existence: it’s both a portrait and a promotional item for cigarettes. How do you interpret this blending of purposes? Curator: It's crucial to consider how this image functions within the visual culture of the late 19th century. Think about it – the mass production of photographs coincides with the rise of both professional sports and the tobacco industry. Cigarette cards became a powerful marketing tool. Featuring baseball players elevated both the sport and the brand, associating athleticism and perhaps even a certain "coolness" with smoking. How might this interplay shape public perception of sports figures and consumerism at the time? Editor: So, it’s less about art for art’s sake and more about art serving a commercial agenda? Did the players themselves have any agency in this? Curator: That’s right. The power dynamics are really interesting. Players likely had limited control over the use of their image. Their likeness became a commodity, reinforcing ideas of celebrity culture tied to market forces. Consider the ethical implications of using athletes, figures often admired by youth, to promote a product known to be harmful. Does that change your perception of this image? Editor: Definitely. I initially saw it as a simple baseball card, but now I recognize its role in a larger network of commerce and influence. Thanks for unpacking the historical layers behind such a seemingly straightforward portrait. Curator: My pleasure! Looking beyond the immediate image helps us understand how art objects participate in shaping cultural values and power structures. It invites us to question whose stories are told and how.