Donnelly, 3rd Base, Washington, from the series Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This sepia-toned photograph, "Donnelly, 3rd Base, Washington," was produced by Goodwin & Company around 1887 as part of the "Old Judge Cigarettes" series. The composition is dominated by the figure of a baseball player, centrally posed with a bat, against a muted backdrop. The limited tonal range creates a sense of depth and focuses our attention on the subject. The photograph is structured around a play of horizontal and vertical lines: the horizontal stripes of the baseball cap contrast with the verticality of the bat and the player's stance. This creates a visual tension, suggesting both stability and potential action. The placement of the figure against a plain background isolates him, emphasizing his form and the tools of his trade. The image exists as a signifier of late 19th-century American culture, where sport, advertising, and tobacco intertwined. The use of photography as a mass-producible medium allowed for the commodification of public figures. "Donnelly, 3rd Base, Washington," prompts questions about the construction of identity and celebrity, and how images are used to convey cultural values.