James Thomas "Deacon" McGuire, Catcher, Philadelphia, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This is a baseball card made by Goodwin & Company around 1887, featuring James Thomas "Deacon" McGuire of Philadelphia. Notice the hands on his hips, a stance that transcends mere posture. This gesture resonates across centuries. Think of the classical statues of emperors or the self-assured poses in Renaissance portraits. In these, as with McGuire, it signifies authority and readiness. Yet, the context shifts: an emperor commands legions, a Renaissance noble asserts lineage, and McGuire prepares to catch a ball. It is a fascinating evolution – the heroic translated from battlefield and court to the baseball diamond. The pose is a kind of 'pathos formula', expressing confidence and capability passed down through history, each time imbued with fresh meaning, and in this case tapping into America's growing passion for baseball.