Fullmer, Catcher, Baltimore Orioles, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

Goodwin & Company created this baseball card of Fullmer, a catcher for the Baltimore Orioles, as part of the Old Judge series using photographic printing. The sepia tone flattens the image, yet within this limited palette, the composition is striking. Fullmer occupies almost all of the frame in a low crouch, his gaze leveled at the viewer. The photograph’s power lies in its structural simplicity: the convergence of lines formed by his body and the background create a dynamic tension. This tension is heightened by the card’s small size, which contrasts with the imposing figure of Fullmer. This intimate scale draws the viewer in, creating a connection with a figure frozen in time. Consider how the sharp focus on Fullmer's face and form contrasts with the softer, less defined backdrop. This contrast highlights the individual within the context of the game, but also as a commodity, an advertisement for the 'Old Judge' cigarette factory. It’s a study of form and function, where the aesthetic serves the purpose of commerce.