Captain Matthew Webb, Swam from Dover, England to Calais, France, from World's Champions, Series 2 (N29) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This 1888 lithograph, part of the "World's Champions" series produced by Allen & Ginter for their cigarette brand, depicts Captain Matthew Webb. Webb is famous for his 1875 feat of swimming the English Channel, a feat that took him 21 hours and 45 minutes. The card uses a simple yet effective visual style to portray the champion swimmer with his arms crossed, showcasing his muscular physique. This type of artwork was common in the late 19th century, and it served as a means of advertising and promoting both the cigarette brand and the subjects of the cards. The card is now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.