Bastian, 2nd Base, Chicago, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This small paper image shows Bastian, the second baseman for Chicago. It was created by Goodwin & Company as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series in 1888. Note the baseball bat—an implement not unlike a scepter—held firmly in Bastian's hands. This seemingly simple object has roots stretching back to ancient rituals and symbols of power. Think of the club of Hercules, or the staff of a medieval king. These emblems signified strength and authority. Here, the bat represents the might and prowess of the baseball player. It is a totem, around which modern tribes—the fans—gather and to which they project their hopes and dreams. Consider how this image, mass-produced for commerce, captures a moment in the ongoing evolution of symbols, revealing how the human psyche imbues objects with meaning and emotion, bridging the gap between ancient archetypes and modern obsessions.