William Hildreth "Bill" Hawes, 1st Base, Minneapolis, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This photographic print of William Hildreth "Bill" Hawes, a baseball player from Minneapolis, was produced around 1888 by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge Cigarettes. Notice how the sepia tones and the tight framing isolate Hawes and another player against a neutral backdrop. The composition is structured by diagonal lines created by Hawes's leaning posture, offering a dynamic yet stable visual arrangement. This use of diagonals introduces movement, drawing the eye across the frame and underscoring the action inherent in the baseball scene. The card's small dimensions create an intimate viewing experience, typical of the commercial photography of the time. The sepia tone flattens the image, highlighting the textures of the players' uniforms and the ball, while also creating a sense of nostalgia and distance, placing us firmly in the late 19th century. This card not only captures a moment in sports history but also embodies the formal characteristics of early photographic portraiture.