William "Bill" Frederick Krieg, 1st Base, Washington Nationals, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This is a baseball card from the Old Judge series, made in 1887 by Goodwin & Company, featuring William "Bill" Frederick Krieg. Krieg stands poised with his bat, a symbol of potential, anticipation, and the readiness for action. The bat, as an extension of the player, recalls similar symbolic extensions found throughout history. Think of the scepter of a king, or the staff of a magician – objects imbued with power and authority. The collective memory of athletic contests taps into primal instincts of competition and survival. The focused intensity in Krieg’s stance mirrors the poised readiness seen in ancient sculptures of warriors or hunters, reflecting a timeless human engagement with challenge and triumph. It reminds us that the will to compete, to excel, to win, is a recurring motif in the human experience. As such, this simple card engages us on a deeper level, stirring subconscious associations with power, prowess, and the age-old drama of human endeavor.