Roger Connor, 1st Base, New York, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This baseball card of Roger Connor, a 1st baseman for New York, was produced by Goodwin & Company as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. The sepia tone gives the card a weathered, antique feel, drawing us back to the late 19th century when baseball cards were first introduced as promotional items. The composition is simple yet effective. Connor is centered, his body forming a triangular shape that anchors the image. The muted colors and soft focus create a sense of intimacy, as if we are catching a glimpse of a bygone era. The text is carefully placed at the top and bottom, framing the image and adding to its overall symmetry. This card functions not just as a commercial object but also as a cultural artifact, embodying the nascent commercialisation of leisure and the rise of sports as a spectacle. The formal elements – the composition, the tones, the textures – all work to convey a sense of history and nostalgia.