Long, Catcher, Chicago, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887 - 1890

Curator: Here we have "Long, Catcher, Chicago, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes," dating back to sometime between 1887 and 1890. The image is attributed to Goodwin & Company, and what's striking is that it’s both a print and a photograph! Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by how…sepia everything is, this monochrome that suggests a timelessness, really. There's a formality to the pose, too. The subject is a bit stiff but the uniform pops somehow against this simple backdrop. There is some light at play on his clothes but also dark in the background which highlights Long and is overall captivating. Curator: Precisely! This is more than just a baseball card; it’s an exploration of form through material reality. Look at the composition! Long, bat in hand, becomes an almost classical figure, framed by these simple planes, becoming one with a very structured design overall. Editor: Oh, I agree! He looks almost regal. It's less about the game and more about…well, presenting an idealized image. Though, I can't help but wonder about the actual baseball player, you know? What was his story? Did he enjoy posing? And cigarettes of all things, being attached to the advertisement, strange isn't it? Curator: Oh, undeniably strange by today’s standards, although very common in this era! Advertising through celebrity association, really laying the foundations for modern marketing. Still, one can't overlook the semiotics here—the cigarette brand imprinting itself onto virility and strength. Editor: So much gets caught, literally, in the image. It isn’t just nostalgia and sepia, but something else too, caught within the photo of the person that just brings me back every single time I stare at it, an echo of dreams long faded. Curator: Absolutely, this piece, now preserved at the Met, encapsulates both art and a moment in American history—it's quite striking how a medium like this could encapsulate such historical events for its audience and its preservation! Editor: This image definitely left a mark on me. I found beauty through semiotics.