James G. Fogarty, Right Field, Philadelphia, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

Editor: This is "James G. Fogarty, Right Field, Philadelphia" from the Old Judge series made for Old Judge Cigarettes back in 1887 by Goodwin & Company. It's a small print, and it’s giving me a real sense of nostalgia, like peering into a dusty attic trunk full of forgotten things. What stands out to you about this piece? Curator: Ah, yes, Fogarty! What a dreamy sepia tint clinging to the fleeting moment! He's frozen, eternally anticipating that fly ball. The slightly out-of-focus rendering suggests a sort of bygone dream, doesn't it? Tell me, do you sense any particular irony in the fact that this sporting hero is linked to a cigarette brand? Editor: That's a great point. There’s a pretty sharp contrast, right? Promoting athletic prowess with… well, with something not known for promoting health! Was this kind of advertising common at the time? Curator: Precisely! The late 19th century was rife with such paradoxes. It speaks volumes about societal values then versus now, wouldn't you say? These Old Judge cards, they weren't just adverts; they were mini-portraits, little windows into a world where commerce and heroism danced cheek-to-cheek in sepia-toned innocence. Editor: So, more than just an advertisement, it’s almost like a little time capsule. I never would have considered that. Curator: Indeed! These cards turn out to be unexpectedly poignant. I initially saw the irony of the cigarette endorsement, and hadn’t noticed that it had far more layers to unpack. Funny how art unlocks different perspectives, eh?