Billy Edwards, Pugilist, from World's Champions, Series 2 (N29) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This lithograph of Billy Edwards, pugilist, was printed by Allen & Ginter, a cigarette company, as part of a promotional series. The chromolithography process allowed the company to produce cards with vibrant colors that would stand out. These cards were essentially small, inexpensive advertisements inserted into cigarette packs, designed to be collected and traded. The image of Edwards, a working-class athlete, is rendered with careful attention to his muscular physique, an attempt to associate smoking with strength and virility. The mass production of such cards relied on a labor-intensive process, involving skilled craftsmen and factory workers. The inherent qualities of the paper, ink, and printing techniques all contribute to the card's appeal. The texture, weight and color of the paper give it a tangible quality. This was everyday ephemera, yet, through the making process, it gained a cultural significance far beyond its original commercial purpose, highlighting the blurred boundaries between commerce, labor, and cultural value.