Card 26, from the Girl Cyclists series (N49) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1887

This is a promotional card from the "Girl Cyclists" series, created by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. Note how the card is dominated by a large, sepia-toned image of a woman riding a high-wheel bicycle. The composition emphasizes the bicycle’s large front wheel, which nearly eclipses the rider. The lines of the spokes create a complex web, contrasting with the simpler lines of the frame and the rider's body. The monochromatic color scheme flattens the image, reducing depth and focusing attention on the interplay of shapes and textures. The woman is positioned in a way that challenges conventional gender roles. Her clothing, while modest, suggests practicality and freedom of movement, a departure from the restrictive fashions of the time. The bicycle itself becomes a symbol, representing technological progress and women’s expanding role in society. This card disrupts traditional expectations, presenting a new image of women who are capable, independent, and engaged with the modern world.