Baseball and tobacco products have shared a long and smoldering history - from the first baseball cards to player endorsements. Until recently you could even catch a player or manager sneaking a puff in the dugout during a game. I'm not a fan of smoking but I do have an appreciation and fondness for vintage advertising associated with baseball and featuring the stars of the game. So let's take a look. Smoke 'em if you got 'em.
By the late 1800’s baseball was on its way to becoming America’s pastime. Tobacco cards were now becoming widely distributed inside of cigarette packs; they were used to both promote various brands while also acting as a stiffener to help protect the cigarettes from getting crushed.
Here's an 1886 card I have from what is considered to be the first official baseball card set. It was once inserted into a pack of Old Judge Cigarettes from the Goodwin & Co. Tobacco. Check out this dude's mustache and his baseball boots!
By 1909 several tobacco companies were in on the action. These two were inserted into packs of Piedmont (The Quality Cigarette) and Sweet Corporal (The Standard For Years).
Below is an example of the double folder series inserted into Mecca Cigarettes (Perfect Satisfaction) in 1911. The artwork is beautifully rendered and lithographed. When viewed in an open position, the card reveals one player. When the card is folded, a different player is revealed (although the players share the same pair of legs).
This 1912 Triple Folder came in a pack of Hassan Cork Tip Cigarettes (The Oriental Smoke). Each card is designed with two full-color end panels that bookend a black-and-white center panel action photo. The end cards were folded in order for it to fit into the cigarette pack. Unfortunately the other side of this one didn't survive.
In the 40's and 50's Chesterfields were the Champs. Look at this endorsement lineup!
Chestfields here! Get yer Chesterfields!
ABC in Boston:
ABC in New York:
Even Rhode Island's own Gabby Harntett nailed it when it came to Chesterfields.
Meanwhile, Yankee Waite Hoyt preferred a Lucky to maintain his slender figure.
And The Iron Horse swatted for Camels.
I always wonder what the other two smoked...
After smashing The Babe's record* Roger relaxes with a Camel. Poor Roger would succumb to cancer at the age of 51.
Fellow M & M Boy Mickey and his son pitched Phillies Cigars to get a great glove.
Phillies were big players at the Ballpark and sponsored broadcasts on TV and radio.
5 for 39 cents!
