William Beach, Oarsman, from World's Champions, Series 1 (N28) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes by Allen & Ginter

William Beach, Oarsman, from World's Champions, Series 1 (N28) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1887

drawing, print

portrait

drawing

yellowing background

print

caricature

portrait reference

men

animal drawing portrait

portrait drawing

watercolour illustration

athlete

portrait art

watercolor

fine art portrait

celebrity portrait

"William Beach, Oarsman" is a chromolithograph card from the *World's Champions* series produced by Allen & Ginter in 1887. This card features a portrait of William Beach, a renowned oarsman, in a blue singlet. The background of the card shows him rowing a boat on a calm river. The image is a classic example of the *trade card* genre, a type of advertising used in the 19th century. This card was included in packs of Allen & Ginter cigarettes, a popular brand in the late 1800s. This card, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, showcases a small piece of the history of sports and advertising in America.