William F. "Billy" Klusman, 2nd Base, Denver, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

This baseball card of William F. "Billy" Klusman, made by Goodwin & Company in 1886, offers more than a simple portrait; it captures the very essence of anticipation. Klusman is poised, bent low with hands outstretched toward the ground, embodying a universal gesture of readiness, one we might trace back through the ages. Consider the iconography of the hunt, or ancient depictions of priests divining the future. The act of reaching, of anticipating, resonates deeply within our collective memory. See how Klusman's stance mirrors figures in classical art, capturing the moment before action—a shared human experience. It's fascinating how a pose so specific to a sport can echo deeper, more primal instincts. What is baseball, after all, if not a ritualistic enactment of conflict and strategy? This is a mere baseball card, yes, but it is also a potent symbol of human hope and expectation.