Brynan, Pitcher, Chicago, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This is a baseball card, made by Goodwin & Company around 1888, advertising Old Judge Cigarettes. Here, Brynan, a pitcher from Chicago, strikes a pose. He places his hands in front of his body, gripping what appears to be a bat. But let us not overlook the gesture itself. The intertwined hands—a motif that transcends mere utility. We see echoes of it in ancient Egyptian art, where crossed arms symbolize resurrection and rebirth. Consider the countless depictions of entwined hands through the ages, each bearing its own cultural charge. And what of its psychological resonance? Perhaps it embodies a primal urge to assert control. A need to channel inner energy. It is a gesture loaded with an electric charge. Thus, Brynan's gesture becomes more than a simple pose; it is a vessel carrying the weight of collective memory. It is a potent reminder of the enduring power of symbols to bridge time and cultures.