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

This is a printed card, likely from the late 19th century, made by P.H. Mayo & Brother in Richmond, Virginia, as part of their College Football Stars series to promote Mayo's Cut Plug Tobacco. What we see here is more than just a portrait of John Dunlop of Harvard University; it's a snapshot of the burgeoning commercialization of college sports in America. Tobacco companies like Mayo recognized the marketing potential of associating their products with popular athletes. This card reflects a broader cultural phenomenon where institutions like universities and businesses began to intersect in new ways. The imagery elevates college athletes to celebrity status, subtly endorsing both the sport and the tobacco brand. To fully understand this card, we might look into the history of college football, advertising, and the tobacco industry in the late 19th century. By examining such artifacts, historians can reveal the complex ways in which social values, commercial interests, and institutional structures shape our cultural landscape.