Ryan, Right Field, Chicago, from the series Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This is a sepia-toned promotional baseball card from 1888, created by Goodwin & Company as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. At first glance, the composition is dominated by the figure of the baseball player, posed mid-action against a blurred background. This creates a sense of immediacy, as if capturing a fleeting moment in a game. The sepia tone flattens the image, emphasizing its graphic quality over realism. The player's body forms a dynamic diagonal line across the card, with his outstretched hands drawing the viewer's eye. The use of typography as part of the image is also notable, with the player's name and position integrated into the scene. The card functions as a sign, using the player's image to create a relationship between athleticism, celebrity and consumption. It captures the burgeoning popularity of baseball and the rise of mass media in the late 19th century, offering a glimpse into the commodification of sport and the construction of cultural icons.