Samuel Leech Maskrey, Right Field, Des Moines Prohibitionists, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This photogravure from Goodwin & Company presents Samuel Leech Maskrey, a right fielder for the Des Moines Prohibitionists. The sepia tones evoke a sense of nostalgia, emphasizing the historical distance. Compositionally, the figure fills the frame, creating an immediate presence, but the somewhat faded tonality subverts the typical heroicism expected in athletic portraiture. Maskrey's uniform blends almost seamlessly into the background, blurring the distinction between figure and ground, an effect of photographic techniques and printmaking processes of the late 19th century. The soft focus further softens the image, producing a sense of timelessness, even anonymity. The flatness is reminiscent of early documentary photography, yet the commercial context complicates its status, offering a glimpse into how identity and sport were commodified through advertising. Ultimately, this work functions as both a portrait and a cultural artifact, reflecting the evolving relationship between photography, celebrity culture, and consumerism.