Toole, Pitcher, Brooklyn, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887 - 1890

This card from the Old Judge Cigarettes series, created around 1850 to 1950 by Goodwin & Company, features Toole, a pitcher for Brooklyn. The baseball bat, prominently held, is more than just a sporting tool; it’s a symbol of power and aspiration. Consider how weapons and scepters have been depicted throughout history, emblems of authority and might. The bat, in this context, inherits some of that symbolic weight, adapted for a new, democratic age of sport. It connects Toole to a lineage of figures wielding objects of influence. The way Toole holds the bat evokes a sense of anticipation, reminiscent of classical statues of warriors poised for action. This seemingly simple pose taps into our collective memory of strength and readiness, engaging us on a subconscious level. The image is not merely a portrait of a baseball player but also an echo of age-old symbols, resurfacing and evolving within a modern context.