Daley, Pitcher, Washington, from the series Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This sepia-toned photograph captures Daley, a pitcher for Washington, and was produced by Goodwin & Company as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. Daley is caught mid-throw, the baseball held aloft—a potent symbol. The act of throwing, of projecting an object with force and precision, resonates deeply within our collective consciousness. Think of Zeus wielding his thunderbolt, or even David launching the stone at Goliath. These archetypal images tap into a primal understanding of power, skill, and the potential for transformative action. Here, the baseball, a simple sphere, becomes a vessel for Daley’s intent. He's not just throwing a ball; he is projecting his will, challenging his opponent, and engaging in a ritual as old as humanity itself. This humble image of a baseball pitcher thus echoes through the ages, reminding us of the enduring power of symbols and their capacity to connect us to our shared past.