W.A. Rowe, Champion Bicycle Rider, from the Champions of Games and Sports series (N184, Type 1) issued by W.S. Kimball & Co. 1887

This 1887 lithograph by W.S. Kimball & Co. is from their "Champions of Games and Sports" series of trading cards. The card features W.A. Rowe, a champion bicycle rider, depicted in a portrait above a small scene of him riding a penny-farthing bicycle, a popular type of bicycle during the late 19th century. These cards were often distributed with W.S. Kimball & Co.'s brand of cigarettes, showcasing the popularity of both cycling and tobacco during that era. The illustration's use of bright colors and fine detail captures the spirit of the sporting world. The card, measuring 2 11/16 × 1 1/2 in. (6.8 × 3.8 cm), is part of the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.