William Byrd Page, Champion High Jumper, from the Champions of Games and Sports series (N184, Type 1) issued by W.S. Kimball & Co. 1887

Curator: Oh, I quite like the sepia tones! It gives it such an antiquated feel, like a memory resurfaced from an old scrapbook. Editor: Indeed. We’re looking at "William Byrd Page, Champion High Jumper," from the "Champions of Games and Sports" series, issued around 1887 by W.S. Kimball & Co. Curator: It's quite odd seeing such an athletic image immortalized on what's essentially a cigarette card. A rather curious juxtaposition of vices and virtues, isn't it? Editor: Absolutely. These cards were originally designed as advertising inserts to stiffen cigarette packs, evolving into collectible items, small windows into late 19th-century popular culture. This portrait drawing, realized in coloured pencil, showcases a man mid-jump. What do you see reflected in his depiction? Curator: He reminds me of a Greco-Roman statue, caught mid-action. The high jump almost seems symbolic – an aspirational image. His pose appears so graceful but strong, representing the cultural ideals of athleticism. I imagine people projected their hopes and aspirations onto such figures, seeing them as embodying perfection and strength. Editor: That ties in interestingly to how symbols shift with time, how our heroes are framed says as much about us. Back then, the champion athlete embodied health and strength. Today, that iconography might be different, maybe complicated by commercialization. The cigarette brand certainly muddles the waters, creating a complex visual artifact. Curator: Perhaps the ephemeral nature of cigarette cards ties to a broader sense of fleeting glory, mirroring our perception of time's relentless march. The high jump could, therefore, become more than just a sport—it represents ambition, transcendence. Editor: Fascinating how a small portrait encapsulates all of those complex ideas! Curator: I guess even simple promotional items can speak volumes if you know how to listen. Editor: Absolutely. Every image contains the cultural echoes that ripple through the ages.