Axel Paulsen, Skater, from World's Champions, Second Series (N43) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century sports fandom with *Axel Paulsen, Skater a colorful commercial lithograph from the1888 *World's Champions, Second (N43)* issued by Allen & Ginterarettes. This petite card (just 2 15/16 x 3 1/4 inches) captures the poised elegance of Norwegian figure skater Paulsen, a world renowned for pioneering the loop jump. Produced by lithographers Eddy & Claus, it exemplifies chromolithography—a technique that allowed mass production of vivid, eye-catching images using multiple color stones, making fine art accessible to everyday collectors. These cigarette cards were revolutionary ephemera, tucked into tobacco packs to boost sales and fuel a collecting craze among enthusiasts. Allen & Ginter, pioneers in the genre, featured global celebrities from sports to stage, turning athletes like Paulsen into household names during an era when figure skating was gaining international stardom. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department from the Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, this piece highlights how commercial printing democratized portraiture, blending advertising savvy with cultural hero worship. Today, it reminds us of trading cards' enduring legacy—from Victorian pastimes to modern baseball cards—offering a snapshot of Gilded Age innovation and athletic glory.

About the Artist

Lindner, Eddy & Claus|Allen & Ginter (American|American) · | – |

American, Richmond, Virginia|American, New York