Nash, 3rd Base, Boston, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This is "Nash, 3rd Base, Boston," a photograph made in 1888 by Goodwin & Company, as part of their Old Judge Cigarettes series. The image, printed on a small card, would have been collected and traded, a proto-baseball card. The photographic process itself is key here. Photography was still a relatively new technology, and its application to mass-produced commercial items like cigarette cards speaks to the era's industrial expansion and the rise of consumer culture. The sepia tone gives it a nostalgic feel, almost romanticizing the sport. It's not just a picture; it's a piece of industrial production, tied to both the tobacco industry and the burgeoning world of professional sports. Consider the labor involved, from the players on the field to the factory workers printing these cards. Ultimately, this simple card is a complex artifact, reflecting the social and economic dynamics of its time.