Michael J. Cody, Catcher, Des Moines Prohibitionists, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

This is a baseball card from the "Old Judge" series, a late 19th-century artifact produced by Goodwin & Company as a promotional item for their cigarettes. The card presents a monochromatic, reddish-pink image of Michael J. Cody, a catcher for the Des Moines Prohibitionists. The composition is dominated by Cody's figure, rendered in a soft, almost hazy focus that blurs the distinction between figure and ground. This lack of sharp detail invites us to focus on the subtle tonal variations and textures. The choice of this limited palette may reflect the printing technology of the time, but it also serves to flatten the image, emphasizing its two-dimensionality. The soft focus and limited tonal range challenge our perception, blurring the boundaries between representation and abstraction. In this tension, the card opens up a space for contemplation about the nature of image-making and the evolving relationship between photography, commerce, and cultural identity.