Sir J. Astley, from the Racing Colors of the World series (N22b) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This lithograph of Sir J. Astley, from the Racing Colors of the World series, was made for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. Here, the riding crop is not merely an instrument of control; it’s a scepter. Observe how its presence transforms the rider into a figure of authority, reminiscent of the classical depictions of emperors holding their staffs. Think of the recurring motif of the staff or rod, a symbol of power that stretches back to ancient civilizations. In the hands of a pharaoh, it signified divine rule; for a bishop, spiritual authority. The riding crop, therefore, carries echoes of these ancestral symbols. But it has been secularized and imbued with the dynamism of modern sport. This transference reflects a broader cultural shift, doesn’t it, where ancient symbols are reimagined in the context of contemporary life? The act of riding is transformed into a display of mastery, a performance of control that resonates with deep-seated psychological desires for power and order.