Harkins, Pitcher, Baltimore Orioles, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This small card from 1888, produced by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge Cigarettes, depicts Harkins, a pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles. These cards were inserted into cigarette packs as a marketing strategy, capitalizing on the burgeoning popularity of baseball in the United States. The late 19th century saw the rise of professional baseball, and with it, a culture of fandom that companies were eager to tap into. The mass production of images like this one, made possible by new printing technologies, helped to create and sustain that culture. The images became instantly collectible, foreshadowing the modern baseball card industry. Understanding this image requires a knowledge of baseball history, advertising, and the social conditions that shaped leisure activities in the late 19th century. By exploring such sources, we can understand the social life of art and objects.