Morrell, 1st Base and Manager, Boston, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This is an 1887 Old Judge Cigarettes card from the N172 series, created by Goodwin & Company. This small rectangular card, sepia-toned and seemingly simple, is anything but. The composition centers on Morrell, a baseball player, posed frontally. His figure is framed by the text above and below, creating a structured hierarchy. Note the division of space; the top half advertises the cigarette brand, while the bottom identifies the player and the company. This arrangement signifies the card's dual purpose: commercial advertisement and cultural artifact. The sepia tone flattens the image, emphasizing shape and form over depth. This aesthetic choice links the card to a broader cultural moment wherein photography was still emerging as both a medium of documentation and artistic expression. Consider how this seemingly straightforward image functions as a sign, encoding consumerism, celebrity, and the burgeoning culture of baseball. It is a snapshot of a moment, yet it also reflects enduring structures of representation and meaning.