Charles Columbus "Count" Campau, Left Field, Detroit Wolverines, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This photographic print of Charles Columbus "Count" Campau was made circa 1888 by Goodwin & Company of New York as part of the "Old Judge" series of baseball cards. The image was made to be included in packages of Old Judge Cigarettes. The late 19th century was a period of rapid industrial expansion, rising consumerism, and new advertising strategies. Tobacco companies like Goodwin & Co. were at the forefront, using images of celebrities, athletes, and other public figures to market their products. These cards reflect the growing popularity of baseball and the emergence of celebrity culture. The Metropolitan Museum of Art as an institution was founded in 1870, and in the 20th century it began to amass collections of popular ephemera such as baseball cards and other forms of industrial art. To understand this image fully, we need to investigate the history of baseball, advertising, and the tobacco industry in the late 19th century. Such research will help us to understand how these small cards reflect broader social and economic changes.