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

This is Cyclops, from The World's Racers series, a lithograph trading card made for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. At first glance, the lithograph shows a horse and jockey set against a soft, pastoral landscape. But it's the composition, the way elements are arranged, that begins to unveil the card's meaning. Notice how the horse and jockey are neatly framed. This division highlights a dual focus: the athletic prowess of the horse and the branding of Allen & Ginter. The soft hues and meticulously stippled background create a sense of refined taste. In semiotic terms, the card operates on two levels. On the surface, it promotes a leisurely lifestyle associated with equestrian sports. But more deeply, it signifies consumer culture, where images are circulated to attach value to commodities. The image serves as both an aesthetic object and as a signifier of Allen & Ginter's brand.