Caruthers, Pitcher, Brooklyn, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

Editor: Here we have "Caruthers, Pitcher, Brooklyn," a photograph from the Old Judge series for Old Judge Cigarettes, created in 1888 by Goodwin & Company. It’s printed on what seems like a small card. I am struck by the sepia tones and the subject's rigid pose. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Its formal elements immediately call to attention the tension between foreground and background. Observe how the texture of the grass contrasts with the plain backdrop. The photographic image itself acts as sign, divorced from context; consider its geometry, the stark tonal values. Does the baseball player need to be on the field for the portrait to communicate? Editor: Not necessarily. But does the backdrop's ambiguous, almost stage-like, nature affect how we read the authenticity of the photo? Curator: The image oscillates between a sense of immediacy and a crafted artificiality. Look at the man’s expression, a frozen anticipation of movement. How does this captured stillness interact with the kinetic energy inherent in pitching? Further, the flatness is itself expressive. Do you notice it too? Editor: I do now. The shallowness accentuates the figure, pushing him forward. It almost feels like a cardboard cutout, making it harder to grasp at realism. Curator: Precisely! The Old Judge cigarette brand used photographic portraits, elevating them into art through product and technique. Semiotically, it transcends its commercial purpose, becoming an icon in its own right through careful design and repeated forms. Editor: That's really interesting, and it changes how I understand the image as just a baseball card. Thank you! Curator: It's been a pleasure to consider this image with you. Exploring these elements invites an enriched appreciation.