Henry Francis "Hank" O'Day, Pitcher, Washington Nationals, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This 1887 "Old Judge" baseball card, from the N172 series, depicts Henry Francis "Hank" O'Day, a pitcher for the Washington Nationals. The card was part of a larger set of trading cards produced by Goodwin & Company, a New York-based company, that were included in packs of Old Judge Cigarettes. The photograph is a typical example of 19th-century portrait photography, displaying a formal pose and stark lighting. O'Day's serious expression and uniform give the viewer a glimpse into the world of professional baseball in the late 19th century.