Saxony, from The World's Racers series (N32) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

Editor: So, here we have "Saxony, from The World's Racers series" made in 1888 by Allen & Ginter. It's a print, but the materials listed include colored pencils and drawings which makes it quite fascinating. I am particularly curious about the jockey's expression in relationship to the horse. What's your read on this peculiar piece? Curator: Peculiar indeed! You know, the world wasn't always captured in HD. There's a certain... longing, a sweet naive curiosity captured in these old cigarette cards, isn’t there? This "Saxony" seems caught between the precision of portraiture and the fleeting feel of plein-air painting. Makes you wonder, was the artist sketching live at the track, frantically capturing the scene before the next race? And look at the horse's stance; there is a very peculiar sort of muscular definition! I find this charming, even with its imperfections. It offers the viewer something deeply impressionistic. What do you suppose someone might feel about horses, horse racing, or the good old days as they look at this? Editor: That's a great question. I'm curious about why they decided to put it on a cigarette card? Seems so random now. Curator: Not random at all! Imagine a world without the internet, where exotic places and exciting people only came to you through images like this. These cards, tucked into cigarette packs, were like tiny windows onto the world, little nuggets of aspiration and even social distinction in Richmond, Virginia where they came from! This Saxony isn't just a horse, it's a symbol – of speed, of luxury, of a world beyond the everyday. Do you feel like it offers any commentary about class? Editor: Yeah, I do. Okay, I didn’t expect to get so much out of a cigarette card today! It gives you something to aspire to. Curator: Exactly! So much more than meets the eye...or the lungs! I am thrilled you appreciate Allen & Ginter even more now.