Ed Morris, Pitcher, Pittsburgh, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This baseball card, created by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge Cigarettes, features Ed Morris, a pitcher for Pittsburgh. Look at Morris's raised hand, a gesture that seems simple but echoes across cultures. The raised hand, palm open, appears in ancient Roman art as a sign of greeting, respect, and peace. We see it again during the French Revolution when the “Oath of the Tennis Court” signaled unity and resolve. Over time, the raised hand evolved, yet the core symbolism persists, transforming into an act of oath-taking, as a salutation, and now as an active stance in sports. Here, Morris’s gesture becomes a promise of the game, an anticipation of skill, and a challenge to his opponents. This photograph taps into a collective memory, subconsciously connecting the viewer to historical moments of resolve and the promise of a shared future. This convergence transforms a baseball card into a potent symbol, resonating deeply with viewers, and intertwining the past with the present in an emotional tableau.