Franklin Washington "Gid" Gardner and Jeremiah J. "Miah" Murray, Washington Nationals, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This sepia-toned card, made by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge Cigarettes, captures Franklin Washington "Gid" Gardner and Jeremiah J. "Miah" Murray of the Washington Nationals. The composition of the image is divided horizontally, with the figures arranged against a heavily patterned backdrop. The stark contrast between the foreground and background creates a dynamic tension, drawing our eyes to the formal qualities of the players' poses. The interaction between the figures is somewhat ambiguous. This lack of clarity invites a semiotic reading where the gaps in narrative are as significant as the elements presented. The card destabilizes conventional portraiture by blending public image with commercial intent, blurring the lines between representation and promotion. This tension reminds us that meaning is not fixed within the image, but negotiated through culture, commerce and spectatorship.