John L. Sullivan, from the Celebrities and Prizefighters series (N174) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887 - 1888

This photographic print of John L. Sullivan comes from the Celebrities and Prizefighters series of Old Judge Cigarettes. This series emerged during a time when mass media was rapidly evolving, and the cult of celebrity was on the rise. Sullivan, known as the "Boston Strong Boy," was not just a boxer; he was an Irish-American icon, embodying a particular brand of masculinity that celebrated strength, resilience, and ethnic pride at a time when Irish immigrants faced discrimination. Note how Goodwin & Co. positioned Sullivan. The formal attire — the top hat, the coat, the cane — attempts to elevate him, to class him up, yet the very nature of his profession, prizefighting, was seen by many as brutal and base. The very act of including him in a series of "celebrities" speaks to a changing cultural landscape. Sullivan was more than just a fighter, he was a figure who challenged and reshaped societal perceptions of athleticism, ethnicity, and fame.