T. Ray, Pole Vaulter, from World's Champions, Series 2 (N29) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

Editor: So, this is "T. Ray, Pole Vaulter" from 1888 by Allen & Ginter. It's a print, seemingly a colored-pencil drawing, part of a series for cigarette cards. It strikes me as kind of an odd celebration of athleticism... commercial and yet, oddly intimate. How do you interpret the role of a piece like this back in its day? Curator: It's fascinating how commercial ephemera like this reflect broader social trends. Cigarette cards depicting athletes emerged during the late 19th-century rise of organized sports and mass media. They played a part in shaping public perception of athleticism and celebrity. Allen & Ginter used imagery to brand their cigarettes, contributing to the commodification of sport. The focus wasn’t really about "intimacy" so much as tapping into a burgeoning culture of leisure and admiration. Editor: Commodification makes sense. I guess I’m wondering if this specific image contributed to how people saw sports, or was it simply reflecting an already existing enthusiasm? Curator: It likely did both. These images, mass-produced and widely distributed, helped to popularize sports and their heroes. The fact that "T. Ray" is identified so specifically by name and accomplishment contributed to the burgeoning cult of celebrity that also marked this era. It simultaneously reinforced existing cultural values regarding athleticism while shaping them through repetition and visibility. Notice how it's a staged, static portrait of the vaulter. What does this tell you about the desired effect? Editor: Good point! It isn't an action shot. So it wasn't really about capturing movement so much as promoting T. Ray as an aspirational figure. Curator: Exactly! Consider then how it was presented to the masses. Each card an invitation to imagine one’s self with just a fraction of that winning ability. It’s quite brilliant when you consider it! Editor: That's a really insightful way to look at it. It makes you think about the kind of visual messages we're constantly consuming today too. Thanks!