Right Hand Cross Counter, Young Mitchell and George La Blanche, from the Boxing Positions and Boxers series (N266) issued by P. Lorillard Company to promote Red Cross Long Cut Tobacco 1893

This chromolithograph featuring boxers Young Mitchell and George La Blanche was made in the late 19th century by the P. Lorillard Company, using industrial printing techniques to promote Red Cross Long Cut Tobacco. The card is a small rectangle of coated paper, rendered with careful attention to detail. The process of chromolithography allowed for relatively inexpensive color printing, which companies like Lorillard used to produce collectible cards. These cards were included in tobacco packages and featured a wide range of subjects, from sports figures to actresses. What’s interesting is that these cards weren’t just about selling tobacco. They also reflected wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. The company employed artists, printers, and distributors, while the subject matter—boxing—was popular among working-class men. By understanding the materials, making, and context of this chromolithograph, we can see how it blurs traditional distinctions between commerce, popular culture, and art.