Goodfellow, Catcher, Detroit Wolverines, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This photographic baseball card, part of the Old Judge series by Goodwin & Company, presents Goodfellow, a catcher for the Detroit Wolverines, against a neutral backdrop. The sepia tone lends a nostalgic quality, emphasizing the texture of the card itself. The composition is simple, focusing on the figure of Goodfellow in his baseball attire. The diagonal line of the bat across his body creates a dynamic tension, contrasting with the static pose. Light and shadow play across his form, accentuating the contours of his uniform and face. The texture of the card and the slight blur of the image speak to the printing technology of the time. The card's dimensions – a small rectangle – frame the image, reducing the subject to a collectible object. This interplay between representation and material object invites us to consider how meaning is constructed through both image and form. The card represents a player, and at the same time it is an advertising tool. It blurs the boundary between sport, commodity and representation.