James Alexander "Jim" Tyng, Pitcher, Philadelphia, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph was created by Goodwin & Company, around 1888, as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. Here we see baseball player Jim Tyng posed with his bat; his stance suggests readiness, strength, and a controlled power. Consider the baton – a seemingly simple tool. Its symbolic resonance stretches far beyond the baseball field. In ancient Greece, the scepter embodied authority, its bearer sanctioned by the gods. We see echoes in the conductor’s baton today, commanding and unifying the orchestra. Likewise, Tyng’s bat becomes an extension of his will, a conduit for channeling athletic prowess. It’s a potent symbol, speaking to us on a level beyond mere representation. This image captures the collective memory of aspiration, skill, and the pursuit of excellence, a timeless human drama played out on the diamond.