Sprague, Pitcher, Chicago, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This 1885 Goodwin & Company lithograph for Old Judge Cigarettes captures C.W. Sprague of Chicago in a moment of poised anticipation on the baseball field. The sepia tones and compressed space flatten the image, reducing depth and emphasizing the graphic qualities of the composition. The figure of Sprague is rendered with a keen attention to form, his body bent in preparation, creating a series of dynamic angles. These angles, set against the neutral background, produce a visual tension that enlivens the scene. The lithographic technique, with its subtle gradations of tone, adds texture to the player's uniform and the rough ground. Note how the text at the bottom isn't just informative; it's visually integrated into the design, grounding the image and adding to its structure. The advertisement, therefore, operates on multiple levels, blending commerce with sport and presenting a study in form and representation.