Thomas Pettit, Court Tennis Champion, from World's Champions, Series 2 (N29) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This is a chromolithograph trading card from the "World's Champions" series, published by Allen & Ginter in 1888. The card features Thomas Pettitt, a renowned court tennis champion, dressed in a striped tennis uniform with a cap and a mustache. The card is a classic example of 19th-century sports card collecting and is held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. "World's Champions" cards, issued by Allen & Ginter, were a popular way to celebrate sports heroes of the era. The image combines a realistic portrait of the athlete with a simple design that emphasizes Pettitt's athleticism and prestige. This card is a valuable artifact of sports history and cultural memory.