Thomas H. "Pat" Deasley, Catcher, New York, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

Goodwin & Company created this diminutive card of Thomas H. "Pat" Deasley for Old Judge Cigarettes. The sepia tone flattens the image, creating a stark contrast between the figure and the backdrop, and it is a reminder of the historical distance. The composition is simple, almost diagrammatic. Deasley is captured mid-motion, arm raised, ball in hand. The artist employs a restricted palette, relying on subtle tonal variations to define form, and the subject's pose suggests potential energy. The lines of his uniform subtly enhance the movement, reinforcing the sense of a body in action. This card becomes a signifier, not just of a baseball player, but of a burgeoning American culture fixated on sport and celebrity. Each element functions as a visual code. This card presents a snapshot frozen in time, encapsulating broader cultural narratives about athleticism, commodification, and representation. It reflects how images like this were part of constructing identities and values in late 19th-century America.