Crooks, 2nd Base, St. Louis Whites, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This small chromolithograph, made by Goodwin & Company in the late 19th century, presents a baseball player, Crooks, from the St. Louis Whites. Rendered in muted sepia tones, the composition balances portraiture with advertising. Crooks, positioned slightly off-center, holds a bat, his gaze directed towards an unseen pitch. The artist has created a visual hierarchy through contrast, with the player's figure slightly darker against a lighter background, drawing our attention to the baseball player. The background is sparse, suggesting an outdoor field. The card subtly integrates commerce with sport. The inscription, "Old Judge Cigarettes," anchors the image, linking the athletic prowess of Crooks with the brand. This juxtaposition of athleticism and smoking creates a tension, reflective of the era's evolving attitudes towards health and leisure. The formal tension embodied here underscores the complex interplay of culture, commerce, and representation inherent in this seemingly simple baseball card.