Duncan C. Ross, All Around Athlete, from World's Champions, Second Series (N43) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This is a cigarette card of Duncan C. Ross, All Around Athlete, from World's Champions, Second Series, by Allen & Ginter. Notice Ross’s muscular arms crossed firmly across his chest, a gesture of strength and self-assuredness. This pose echoes the classical contrapposto, where figures shift their weight to one leg, projecting a sense of relaxed power and control. We find the motif of the strongman repeated in many cultures through the ages. Consider the Greek hero Heracles, often shown leaning on his club after completing his labors. This archetype reminds us of the enduring human fascination with physical prowess and the idealization of the male form as symbols of control over one’s environment. Such images tap into our collective memory, evoking deep-seated associations of strength and resilience, resonating profoundly within us. Like an athlete preparing to throw a hammer, we too gather our strength and determination.