W.B. Page, High Jump, from World's Champions, Series 2 (N29) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This is a collectible card of W.B. Page, a high jumper, produced by Allen & Ginter for their cigarette packs. These cards, dating back to the late 19th century, reflect the burgeoning commercial culture and the romanticization of athleticism during the Gilded Age. These cards were inserted into cigarette packs to stiffen them and entice consumers. The images predominantly featured white, male athletes, reinforcing then-current ideals of masculinity, physical prowess, and racial superiority. Page's image, with his muscular build and confident pose, embodies these values. The card suggests a narrative where sports became a stage for performing and celebrating particular versions of American identity. While seemingly a simple promotional item, these cards participated in the construction of national identity and consumer culture, subtly promoting the entwined ideals of athleticism, masculinity, and tobacco consumption. They remind us of the historical links between commerce, sport, and the construction of identity.