Fred "Dandelion" Pfeffer, 2nd Base, Chicago, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

Goodwin & Company produced this Fred "Dandelion" Pfeffer baseball card around 1887 as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. Its sepia tones and compact format draw us into a world of early baseball. Visually, the card is structured around the figure of Pfeffer himself. The composition uses Pfeffer's stance as a central axis, balancing the textual elements above and below. Note how his gaze is directed off to the side, creating a sense of implied movement. The card operates on multiple levels. It's an advertisement, using Pfeffer's image to sell cigarettes. But it's also a cultural artifact, capturing a moment in baseball history. This tension between commerce and culture is central to understanding its appeal. The carefully chosen typography and layout underscore the commercial intent while framing Pfeffer as a figure of admiration. The card, through its composition and historical context, offers insight into the evolving relationship between sport, commerce, and cultural identity. The Old Judge series and this card function as a sign, not just of Pfeffer, but of a specific era.