James "Jim" M. Banning, Catcher, Washington Nationals, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

Goodwin & Company produced this baseball card of James "Jim" M. Banning around 1889 as part of the Old Judge series, using photographic methods. The sepia tones and compact format give the image a nostalgic feel, yet it is Banning's pose that dominates the composition. Note how Banning is captured mid-action. His body forms a dynamic diagonal line across the frame. This compositional choice does more than represent him physically, it communicates his readiness and active engagement. The tension between the static card format and dynamic pose creates a visual paradox. This tension invites us to think about how the transient moments of sports are captured and immortalized. Consider, too, the interplay between representation and reality. In this early form of commercial photography, a simple baseball card becomes a cultural artifact, capturing not just an athlete, but also the spirit of a burgeoning sport. The formal qualities of the card—its tone, composition, and the subject's pose—function as a semiotic system that conveys cultural values and meanings beyond the depicted image.