Cree, New York, American League, from the White Border series (T206) for the American Tobacco Company 1909 - 1911

This printed card was produced around 1909 by the American Tobacco Company. In it, we see baseball player Cree, poised, with his glove, ready for the game. But let's not just see a baseball player; let's consider the broader context of this figure. The throwing arm is reminiscent of classical sculptures of discus throwers, echoing a timeless concern with human movement and athleticism. The tension in the flexed hand evokes the ‘melancholic’ gesture, seen in ancient depictions of mourning figures, yet here it speaks more of a quiet contemplation. These gestures resurface throughout art history, each time imbued with new meaning, yet still resonant with echoes of the past. This card, like those ancient sculptures, taps into our collective memory, engaging us on a subconscious level. The baseball player's image reflects our enduring fascination with competition and human potential. It's a simple image, but these symbols, reborn here, create a link between past and present.