Harry Francis "Farmer" Vaughn, Catcher, Louisville Colonels, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

This baseball card depicting Harry Francis "Farmer" Vaughn was produced by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge Cigarettes, sometime in the late 19th century. The sepia-toned card presents Vaughn, catcher for the Louisville Colonels, in a dynamic, crouching pose. The composition is vertically oriented, emphasizing the figure's form and the textural contrast between the soft gradations of tone and the crisp lines of his uniform. The structure of this image operates on the semiotic level, where Vaughn's stance signifies readiness and agility; it also functions as a signifier of early baseball's emerging cultural status. Consider how the sepia tones flatten the depth of field, drawing the viewer's eye to the subject. The texture of the card itself, aged and worn, further enhances the tactile quality, grounding the image in its historical moment. Ultimately, the success of this card lies in how it uses formal elements to transcend its advertising purpose. It serves as a cultural artifact that invites reflection on representation and the evolving nature of fame.