Sam Barkley, 2nd Base, Pittsburgh, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This small albumen silver print, made in 1887 by Goodwin & Company, presents Sam Barkley, a baseball player, poised in action. The sepia tone lends the image a nostalgic air, highlighting the textures of Barkley’s uniform and the baseball he holds aloft. Structurally, the composition is simple yet effective. Barkley's body forms a diagonal line against the plain background, creating a sense of movement and energy. The high contrast between light and shadow accentuates the details of his form, from the folds in his clothing to the determined set of his jaw. The Old Judge Cigarettes advertisement is seamlessly integrated, a signifier of the commercial context in which this image was produced and circulated. Consider this image as a cultural artifact, where sport, commerce, and photography converge, creating a rich tapestry of meaning. Ultimately, the formal qualities of this print—its texture, tonal range, and dynamic composition—speak to the cultural values and visual aesthetics of its time, inviting ongoing exploration and interpretation.