Edward "Ned" Hanlan, Oarsman, from World's Champions, Series 1 (N28) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1887

Editor: So this is Edward "Ned" Hanlan, Oarsman, a lithograph print with colored pencil from 1887, part of the World's Champions series. The colors are very muted, and he almost has a saintly gaze. What do you make of it? Curator: It is intriguing, isn't it? Think about the context: a cigarette card! How do we elevate the everyday through symbols? The rower in the background echoes the man's dedication and the pursuit of excellence, of course. Editor: Dedication and excellence? That's one reading. Could it be the advertisers just saw a popular athlete to sell cigarettes? Curator: Perhaps. But the visual language is more complex than simple marketing. Cigarette cards from that time, with detailed and ornate illustration and design, represent more than the item; what do you think the color choices represent? Editor: The red and blue are patriotic. It reminds me of…well, of classic heroic colors, if that makes sense. Curator: Exactly. And who chose them? Colors accrue meaning through repeated use. This card speaks of national pride and idealized masculinity. Can you consider, then, why Ned Hanlan and rowing were popular? Editor: Sports were on the rise, maybe providing a space to rebuild national identity after the Civil War? This small image, meant for fleeting enjoyment, now reveals broader cultural narratives. Curator: Precisely! These objects function as cultural time capsules and symbols in miniature.