John L. Sullivan, from the Celebrities and Prizefighters series (N174) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887 - 1888

This is John L. Sullivan, a photograph made for Old Judge Cigarettes by Goodwin & Company in the late 19th century. The image itself is a product of industrial processes, a printed card designed to be collected and traded. Note the details: the crispness of the black and white image, the standardized size perfect for mass distribution. This wasn’t fine art, but rather, a piece of promotional material, intended to be disposable. Yet, consider the social context. Sullivan was a working-class hero, celebrated for his brute strength. Boxing was a grueling profession, a stark contrast to the increasingly mechanized labor of the time. In a way, this photograph immortalizes a different kind of work, one of physical prowess and individual grit. So, while the card may seem like a trivial object, it speaks volumes about the relationship between labor, celebrity, and the rise of consumer culture. It challenges us to consider what we value and how these values are shaped by the materials and processes that bring them to life.