Wheelock, Right Field, Boston, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This small, sepia-toned card, "Wheelock, Right Field, Boston," was created by Goodwin & Company as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. It depicts a baseball player in a moment of anticipation. The composition strikes a balance between foreground and background, with Wheelock positioned centrally. The muted tones and soft focus create a sense of nostalgia, while the sharp lines of the player's uniform and bat provide contrast. The pose, caught mid-motion, suggests a narrative beyond the static image, implying action and the dynamism of sport. The baseball acts as a signifier, representing the excitement of the game. The Old Judge Cigarettes logo at the top and the promotional text at the bottom are both textual and visual elements, framing the baseball player as a commodity, advertising the brand's product through the popular figure of a baseball player. The card then operates as a sign, simultaneously capturing a moment in sports history and serving as a piece of commercial ephemera.