Straight Left Hand Counter, Peter Jackson and Fred Slavin, from the Boxing Positions and Boxers series (N266) issued by P. Lorillard Company to promote Red Cross Long Cut Tobacco 1893

"Straight Left Hand Counter, Peter Jackson and Fred Slavin" is a promotional tobacco card created by the P. Lorillard Company. This card belongs to a series featuring boxing positions and boxers, reflecting the late 19th-century fascination with the sport. However, it also subtly highlights the racial dynamics of the time. Peter Jackson, a Black boxer, is depicted alongside Fred Slavin, who is White. Jackson, despite his superior skills, faced significant racial barriers, preventing him from competing for the world title. The card presents an idealized vision of a fair match, yet the historical context reveals a more complex and unjust reality. The act of commodifying these athletes through a tobacco advertisement further complicates their identities, reducing them to mere images for consumption. This work serves as a reminder of the pervasive influence of race and commerce on individual lives, and the emotional toll it takes on people.