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

This is a portrait of John L. Sullivan, the first heavyweight boxing champion of the world, from the "Celebrities and Prizefighters" series, a set of trading cards created by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge Cigarettes in 1887-1888. This small, black and white photograph shows Sullivan in a boxing stance, a popular image of the champion, which would have been widely recognizable to the public. The cards were likely included in cigarette packs and traded by collectors. This one is now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.