Wallace Ross, Oarsman, from World's Champions, Series 1 (N28) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1887

This small card depicting Wallace Ross, an oarsman, was printed by Allen & Ginter Cigarettes as part of their "World's Champions" series. Made in the late 19th century in the United States, it exemplifies the era's burgeoning consumer culture and the intertwined relationship between commerce and popular imagery. The company commercialized on the burgeoning interest in sporting heroes to sell cigarettes. This particular image promotes an ideal of athletic prowess and national pride, typical of the time. It’s interesting to consider the role that businesses played in shaping cultural values and public perceptions through advertising. This image normalizes tobacco use by associating it with success, health, and celebrity. Understanding such imagery requires us to explore a variety of historical sources, including advertisements, marketing strategies, and social commentaries of the period to gain a better understanding of the complex relationship between commerce, culture, and society.