Fred "Sure Shot" Dunlap, Captain, Pittsburgh, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

Goodwin & Company created this albumen silver print of Fred "Sure Shot" Dunlap in 1888 as part of the "Old Judge" series of baseball cards. The subdued sepia tones and formal composition emphasize the subject's posture and attire. Dunlap is captured in a moment of poised readiness, a study in diagonal lines and spatial tension. The angle of his body from lower-left to upper-right creates a dynamic upward movement. The texture of his wool uniform, contrasted against the plain background, suggests the tangible grit of the game. The photograph flattens the depth of field to emphasize the surface quality. This flattening challenges the viewer to consider the image not just as a representation, but as an object with its own formal properties. Dunlap's gaze and the implied action with the ball also create an open dialogue, inviting the viewer to participate in the silent narrative. This interplay of form and implied action transforms a simple portrait into a dynamic field of potential meanings.