Running Race, from the Games and Sports series (N165) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

This 'Running Race' cigarette card, made by Goodwin & Company, presents a snapshot of American leisure. Note the prominence of the race, a motif deeply embedded in our collective psyche. Racing, be it on foot or horseback, symbolizes not just competition, but the relentless pursuit of progress. The American flag in the background anchors the race within a national narrative, linking personal ambition with patriotic fervor. Consider how the idea of the race, the contest, echoes through history, from the Olympic Games of ancient Greece to the chariot races of Rome, each iteration reflecting the values and aspirations of its time. Even the pose of the jockey—bent forward, urging the horse onward—mirrors images of heroes and gods in classical sculpture, figures embodying strength and striving. This drive, this emotional charge, continues to resonate, engaging us on a deep, subconscious level. The symbol of the race persists. It reappears, evolves, and assumes new guises, always reflecting the ever-changing human desire for victory.