Daniel Joseph "Dan" Minnehan, Right Field, Minneapolis, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

This chromolithograph of Daniel Joseph "Dan" Minnehan was created around 1888 by Goodwin & Company as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. Predominantly sepia-toned, the card presents a portrait of Minnehan in action, bat raised, set against a blurred background. The composition's strength lies in its stark simplicity and use of line. The figure of Minnehan forms a strong vertical axis, balanced by the diagonal of his bat. This creates a dynamic tension, a visual anticipation of the strike. The soft, almost dreamlike quality of the lithograph is achieved through subtle gradations of tone, focusing our attention on the athlete's form. The Old Judge Cigarette Factory’s decision to portray athletes in this way speaks to late 19th century America’s evolving relationship with sport and celebrity. While the card's function was commercial, the composition captures a moment of poised potential, highlighting the aesthetic quality of the sporting figure.