Beckley, 1st Base, St. Louis Whites, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This baseball card, made by Goodwin & Company around 1888, depicts J. Beckley of the St. Louis Whites, captured in a moment of athletic grace. Notice the ball suspended between his hands, a symbol of potential energy. This motif of suspended animation echoes across centuries. Think of classical sculptures like Michelangelo’s David, poised before action, or even ancient depictions of gods holding celestial spheres. The act of catching or holding, reminiscent of Atlas bearing the world, speaks to the burden and the potential for change. The cigarette company "Old Judge" sought to imbue their product with this sense of virility, conflating the image of the strong, focused athlete with the pleasure of smoking. A potent, subconscious message for the viewer. The imagery evokes themes of strength and control, yet it also hints at vulnerability—the game and the world are not always easy to grasp. Like any symbol, its cyclical journey brings new layers of meaning.