Jeremiah J. "Miah" Murray, Catcher, Washington Nationals, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This small card, dating back to 1888, presents Jeremiah J. "Miah" Murray, a catcher for the Washington Nationals. Created by Goodwin & Company as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series, it's a sepia-toned photograph on paper, measuring just a few inches. The composition is carefully structured, with Murray posed mid-swing against a blurred, pastoral backdrop. The contrast between the sharp detail of Murray and the soft focus of the background creates a dynamic tension. The lines of his body, the bat, and even the distant fence draw the eye across the frame. The photograph's texture, with its aged patina, adds another layer of complexity, reminding us of its history as a mass-produced commercial object. Consider how this image functioned as both a promotional tool and a collectible item. It reflects the late 19th-century fascination with celebrity and the burgeoning culture of baseball. The use of photography, a relatively new medium at the time, speaks to the era's embrace of modernity and its attempts to capture and classify the world. The card is a signifier of a specific cultural moment and stands as a testament to the interplay between sport, commerce, and visual representation.