James Albert, Go As You Please, from World's Champions, Second Series (N43) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This vibrant lithograph of James Albert, the champion pedestrian, was produced by Allen & Ginter for cigarette cards. The image encapsulates the late 19th-century fascination with athletic prowess and the rise of celebrity culture. Note the idealized depiction of Albert, framed by ornate floral designs and national flags, elevating him to the status of a cultural icon. The phrase "Go As You Please" refers to a long-distance walking race, a popular spectacle in both America and Britain at this time. These races were often held in indoor arenas, attracting large crowds from diverse social backgrounds. The inclusion of Albert in a series called 'World's Champions' indicates the growing importance of sports as a form of national and international competition. Cigarette cards were also a new cultural phenomenon that helped create a mass audience for sporting heroes. Understanding the cultural context of this image requires delving into the history of sports, advertising, and the emergence of mass media in the late 19th century. Resources in social history, like newspapers, sporting records, and advertising ephemera, provide valuable insights into the world that produced this image.