Howell, St. Louis, American League, from the White Border series (T206) for the American Tobacco Company 1909 - 1911

This little card, "Howell, St. Louis, American League," was made by the American Tobacco Company, part of a series that came with cigarette packs. It's like a tiny painting, isn't it? The colors are muted, almost faded, giving it an old-timey feel. Look at the way the colors are laid down, like a gentle wash – it's all about suggestion, letting the image emerge. The texture is smooth, a subtle reminder that this was mass-produced, yet there's a unique quality to it. The way "STL" is emblazoned across the chest, those blocky letters create a sense of weight and solidity. It's as if the artist knew how to capture the essence of baseball, the grit and the glory. It reminds me a bit of those old Edward Hopper paintings – a similar mood, a sense of quiet contemplation. It's a reminder that art can be found in the most unexpected places.