William F. "Billy" Klusman, 2nd Base, Denver, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

This is a sepia-toned baseball card created by Goodwin & Company in 1889, part of the "Old Judge" series. The symmetrical composition, the centered figure of Billy Klusman, and the limited tonal range evoke a sense of quiet formality. The photograph’s strength lies in its careful structuring of space. Klusman is positioned centrally, his figure framed by the neutral backdrop, which creates a clear focal point. The sepia tones contribute to a flattening of perspective. It emphasizes the two-dimensionality of the image. This technique aligns with early photographic attempts to grapple with representation. Consider how the formal constraints of early photography might have mirrored the structuralist idea that meaning is derived from a system of relations, not from inherent qualities. The baseball card captures not just an individual but a network of cultural values tied to sport, commerce, and representation. Its visual elements work together to form a coherent, if somewhat rigid, whole.