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

"Blue Wing" from "The World's Racers" series was made by Allen & Ginter for their cigarette packs, and captures a specific moment in the late 19th century. These cards were part of a broader cultural phenomenon where tobacco companies sought to enhance their products' appeal through collectible images. At the time, horse racing was incredibly popular, and it mirrored the societal values and class distinctions. The image of the jockey, likely a young man from a working-class background, atop a magnificent animal embodies an interesting dynamic. The horse is literally carrying him, and as such he gains social mobility through equestrian sport. But we might also consider this another form of labor, with both jockey and horse commodified for sport and spectacle. While seemingly simple, this card reflects the intertwined histories of commerce, sport, and labor, inviting us to consider the economic and social structures that underpin such representations. It reminds us that even the smallest of images can carry significant cultural weight.