William "Buck" Ewing, Captain and Catcher, New York, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This is a baseball card of William "Buck" Ewing, Captain and Catcher for New York, from the Old Judge series, produced by Goodwin & Company. Notice the composition; it's dominated by vertical lines – Ewing’s body, the wood he’s posed against, and even the text on the card itself. This linearity creates a sense of order, yet the warm sepia tones soften what could be a rigid structure. The sepia imbues the image with nostalgia, evoking a sense of history and tradition. The framing of Ewing against the wood is particularly interesting. Is he confined by it, or is he using it for support? Semiotically, the wood could represent the boundaries and rules of the sport, while Ewing’s upward reach suggests a desire to transcend those limitations. Ultimately, this baseball card uses formal elements to not only portray a sports figure but also to engage with broader themes of aspiration and the negotiation of boundaries.