Fullmer and Tucker, Baltimore Orioles, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

This photographic print was created around 1888 by Goodwin & Company as part of the "Old Judge" series for Old Judge Cigarettes. The sepia tones create a vintage feel, and the composition captures a dynamic moment between two baseball players, Fullmer and Tucker of the Baltimore Orioles. The subjects are frozen mid-action. One player appears to be catching or supporting the other, who is suspended in the air, creating a strong diagonal line that energizes the composition. The image teeters between the real and the staged, and it is this ambiguity that piques the viewer's interest. The photograph functions semiotically, using baseball as a signifier of American identity and athleticism. Yet it also subtly disrupts conventional representation. The dynamic pose and ambiguous narrative suggest that the photograph is not just documenting a sport but also exploring themes of support, balance, and the performative aspects of athleticism.