Albert C. "Al" Mays, Pitcher, Cleveland, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

This is "Albert C. "Al" Mays, Pitcher, Cleveland" a baseball card from the Old Judge series, created by Goodwin & Company. The composition is dominated by the figure of Mays. The sepia tones and the texture create a nostalgic feel. Mays's pose, with hands clasped, creates a focal point, drawing the viewer's eye to the center. The card functions as a sign within a cultural and economic system. Semiotically, the image conveys the values of athleticism and celebrity, linking Mays with the Old Judge brand. This juxtaposition challenges the conventional boundaries between commerce, sport and representation. The serial nature of the baseball card also questions the idea of a singular, fixed meaning. Note how the composition invites the viewer to interpret Mays's image beyond its immediate context. The card becomes a site of ongoing interpretation, reflecting changing attitudes towards sport, celebrity culture, and the commodification of images.