James H. "Jim" Devlin, Pitcher, St. Louis Browns, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This photographic print of James "Jim" Devlin, pitcher for the St. Louis Browns, circa 1886, emerges from the "Old Judge" series, created to promote Old Judge Cigarettes. Note the gesture of Devlin's extended arm, a hand open in what appears to be an expression of appeal or perhaps direction. In antiquity, this open-handed gesture appears in depictions of orators and leaders, a symbol of guidance. Consider the Roman emperors with their outstretched hands. The act transcends mere physical posture, tapping into the collective memory of leadership, decision-making, and an appeal to a higher order or the audience at hand. This gesture, laden with historical weight, resurfaces here, adapted to the modern arena of baseball. It may not consciously recall the Roman forum, but subconsciously, it echoes the power and responsibility of the pitcher's role on the field. The image is a fascinating example of how symbolic gestures endure, adapting and reappearing across different eras.