Hugh N. "Little Nick" Nicol, Right Field, Cincinnati, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

Editor: This is an albumen print from 1888, a baseball card for Old Judge Cigarettes featuring Hugh N. "Little Nick" Nicol. It's part of the "Old Judge" series. It has an antiquated feel because of its monochrome and limited contrast range, giving the impression of peering into a forgotten time. What draws your eye in this particular work? Curator: Observe how the photographer stages the figure. Nicol's posture is one of potential energy, a coil ready to spring. The lines of his body—the angle of the bat, the flex of his leg—create a dynamic tension held within the static frame. Note also the background; the indistinct landscape is intentionally blurred, focusing our attention solely on the formal elements of the athlete’s stance and figure. Is the photographer attempting to evoke a classical statue of athletic prowess? Editor: That's a sharp point about the background— it really does spotlight the player. Is the photo composition hinting at anything beyond the immediately obvious? Curator: Indeed, the composition reinforces the hierarchical structure inherent in early baseball imagery. Consider the elevated viewpoint; it allows us, the viewers, to assume a position of dominance, a controlling gaze over the athlete. Moreover, the subtle tonal variations in the albumen print emphasize the textures of Nicol’s uniform, underscoring the material reality of his profession. Does the photo seem more like it emphasizes his physical being, rather than his skill? Editor: I see what you mean, he seems like a symbol here more than a baseball player per se. Fascinating—the dynamic stance and its tension—now also seems to indicate both power but also an artificial pose created and intended for observation. Thanks! Curator: A keen observation. Reflecting on the artwork together has shown me that photographic practices in early sports collectibles do communicate a kind of controlled visual vocabulary intended to elevate a subject to some ideal beyond reality.