John Ward, Retired, New York, from the Mayo's Cut Plug Baseball series (N300)

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 1890s America with this charming commercial lithograph, *John Ward, Retired, New*, from the Mayo's Cut Plug Baseball series (N). Produced by P.H. Mayo & Brother a Richmond, Virginia tobacco company, this tiny card (just 2 13/16 × 1 5/8 inches) was designed for insertion into packs of their chewing tobacco. Issued in 1895, it captures the era's booming baseball craze, when the sport was exploding in popularity as a national pastime, drawing massive crowds and fostering early celebrity athletes. The portrait honors John Montgomery Ward, a pioneering figure in baseball—a star shortstop, pitcher, and manager for the New York Giants (then Giants). By 1895, Ward had retired from playing but remained influential, having co-founded the Players' League in 1890 to challenge exploitative team owners. This card immortalizes his legacy amid a series of athlete portraits, blending sports heroism with clever tobacco marketing. Lithography enabled vivid, mass-produced color images on inexpensive paper, making these ephemera accessible collectibles that fueled trading frenzies. Part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, it offers a window into Gilded Age advertising, sports culture, and the dawn of modern fandom. A delightful snapshot of history in your hand!