Tommy Warren, Champion Light Weight Pugilist of the World, from the Champions of Games and Sports series (N184, Type 2) issued by W.S. Kimball & Co. 1887

W.S. Kimball & Co. created this trade card for the Champions of Games and Sports series using lithography. The composition is divided into two registers. The first contains a portrait of Tommy Warren, above an image of him in the ring. The colours are muted, creating a hazy, dreamlike atmosphere. The two scenes are distinct, yet unified through a shared palette and subject. Warren’s presence dominates both realms, suggesting a symbolic link between his public and private selves. The portrait above, removed from the spectacle of the ring, invites contemplation on Warren's identity beyond his athletic prowess. This juxtaposition prompts consideration of how fame and persona are constructed and perceived. The image operates within a semiotic framework where Warren is not just a boxer but a signifier of strength, discipline, and celebrity. Through its formal arrangement and thematic content, the card engages with larger questions about the nature of identity and representation in the burgeoning age of mass media.