Nicholson, Pitcher, Chicago, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This sepia photograph, made by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge Cigarettes in 1888, captures Nicholson, a pitcher for the Chicago Maroons, in a poised stance, ready for action. This posture, reminiscent of the classical contrapposto, echoes the tension and potential energy seen in ancient sculptures. Consider the image of a coiled serpent, a symbol appearing across cultures from the ancient Near East to Mesoamerica. Its poised, ready-to-strike form embodies a similar concentration of power and anticipation, representing both danger and transformative potential. Nicholson's stance, though in a vastly different context, taps into this primal visual language. It speaks of readiness, control, and the latent force within, engaging our subconscious with an understanding of impending action. The cigarette card format itself contributes to this symbolic interplay, a token of fleeting pleasure and consumer culture, now preserved as a memento of a bygone era. Thus, Nicholson's image becomes more than a mere sporting card. It's a cultural artifact, revealing how symbols of strength and readiness recur, evolving to reflect and shape our collective memory.