John Joseph "Jocko" Fields, Catcher, Pittsburgh, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This baseball card of John Joseph "Jocko" Fields was created by Goodwin & Company in the late 19th century as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. The sepia tone and small format provide an intimate, almost faded glimpse into the past. The image has a soft, almost dreamlike quality, where the figure emerges gently from the background. Fields, the catcher, is captured in a moment of poised readiness. The formal composition uses a vertical format, typical of trading cards, and highlights a dynamic but subtle arrangement of shapes. The figure is framed within the card, creating a sense of containment and focus. The Old Judge series, as a commercial product, highlights the intersection of culture and commerce, using the semiotics of sport to sell cigarettes. However, the muted tones and minimalist composition challenge the typical brashness of advertising, inviting a more contemplative viewing experience. The card's formal elements—its sepia tones, composition, and texture—combine to create a sense of nostalgia, inviting us to consider how such artifacts function within the broader cultural narratives of sport and representation.