C.A.J. Queckberner, Shot Put, from World's Champions, Second Series (N43) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph of C.A.J. Queckberner, a shot putter, was created by Allen & Ginter as part of their World’s Champions series, which was included in cigarette packs. These cards emerged in the late 19th century, a time when the burgeoning industry of mass media was deeply intertwined with notions of nationalism and ideal masculinity. Queckberner, with his robust physique, embodies a certain kind of masculine prowess celebrated in this era. However, these images also participated in constructing a very particular idea of who could be a 'champion', often excluding people of color and reinforcing dominant societal norms. The aesthetic qualities of this card, from its emphasis on physical strength to its decorative elements, speak volumes about the cultural values of the time, values that privileged certain bodies and identities over others. While seemingly a simple image, it is steeped in the complex politics of representation. It asks us to think critically about whose image is circulated, and why.