Acton, Harvard University, from the College Football Stars series (N302) for Mayo's Cut Plug Tobacco by P.H. Mayo & Brother, Richmond, Virginia

Acton, Harvard University, from the College Football Stars series (N302) for Mayo's Cut Plug Tobacco 1894

drawing, print

portrait

drawing

toned paper

photo restoration

print

charcoal drawing

charcoal art

portrait reference

unrealistic statue

coloured pencil

19th century

men

watercolour illustration

athlete

watercolor

This 1894 trading card from the "College Football Stars" series, created by P.H. Mayo & Brother for their Mayo’s Cut Plug Tobacco brand, features a portrait of Acton, a Harvard University football player. The card, printed in black and white, depicts Acton in a close-up shot wearing a sweater with the letter “H” for Harvard. It is a prime example of early 20th-century American advertising utilizing sports figures to market tobacco products. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, NY, houses this card.