Mitchell, Pugilist, from the Goodwin Champion series for Old Judge and Gypsy Queen Cigarettes 1888

Here we see 'Mitchell, Pugilist,' a chromolithograph trade card for Old Judge and Gypsy Queen Cigarettes, likely made around the late 19th century. The central image is the boxer Mitchell, his arm raised, fist clenched, in a gesture of strength and readiness. The raised fist is a potent symbol, resonating across epochs and cultures. We see it echoed in ancient sculptures of victorious athletes, in revolutionary propaganda, and even in modern-day political rallies. Think of the raised fist of solidarity, a symbol transcending mere physical force to embody resistance and collective power. The clenched fist, laden with layers of meaning, reveals our primal urges. It evokes not just triumph, but the struggle and primal instincts of survival embedded deep in our collective memory, reappearing in an endless cycle of human expression.