John J. "Egyptian" Healy, Pitcher, Washington Nationals, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887 - 1890

This photograph of John J. "Egyptian" Healy, pitcher for the Washington Nationals, comes from the Old Judge series of baseball cards, produced around 1887 by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge Cigarettes. These cards were a marketing strategy to promote tobacco consumption, and they also captured a moment when baseball was becoming America’s pastime. Healy’s nickname, “Egyptian,” reflects the common, though problematic, use of exoticizing nicknames in that era. The image portrays Healy in action, his body in mid-motion, ready to throw. What does it mean to capture the image of a working class man at play? The image suggests both the increasing visibility and value of athletic skill in American culture, and how it intertwined with advertising and consumerism. These cards provide a glimpse into the cultural values, commercial strategies, and social dynamics of late 19th-century America, revealing a layered picture of identity, sport, and commerce.