Myers C. Robinson, 3rd Base, Minneapolis, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887 - 1890

This is a baseball card from the Old Judge series, created by Goodwin & Company in the late 19th century, showcasing Myers C. Robinson. The sepia tone gives the card a nostalgic feel, emphasizing the texture of the paper and the contrasts of light and shadow. The athlete is centered, his form filling most of the narrow rectangular space, which creates a visual balance. Robinson’s pose, caught in mid-motion, tells us little about the subject, but, rather, focuses our eye on the form of the sportsman himself, the structure of the image and the semiotic system that positions the athlete in American culture. Here, form, light and shadow, and balance play essential roles in this cultural document. The deliberate composition of the photograph, which makes use of both formal and cultural visual elements, reflects not just aesthetic considerations but also the social and philosophical dimensions of representation.