Double Arm Swing, from the Gymnastic Exercises series (N77) for Duke brand cigarettes 1887

This is a commercial trading card, “Double Arm Swing,” produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co., sometime between 1870 and 1920. It was a time when advertising was just starting to bloom and popular imagery was starting to reach the masses. This card, part of a series on gymnastic exercises, showcases a woman performing a double arm swing. The image is striking, not just for its depiction of female athleticism, but also for its implicit commentary on gender and societal expectations. The woman is presented as both athletic and conventionally feminine. Her attire, a striped leotard with blue diamond stockings, blends functionality with a certain performative femininity. The depiction invites contemplation on the evolving roles of women and their increasing participation in sports and public life during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The card not only promotes a product but also subtly challenges and reshapes societal norms. The image resonates with the spirit of change, a moment where women were beginning to assert themselves physically and socially.