Jack McGee, Pugilist, from World's Champions, Series 2 (N29) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

Step into the gritty glamour of 1880s America with *Jack McGee, Pugilist*, a vibrant chromolithograph from Allen & Ginter's *World's Champions, Series2 (N29)* cigarette cards. Issued in 1888, this tiny treasure—measuring just 2¾ x 1½ inches—portrays the fierce boxer Jack McGee in a dynamic pose, capturing the raw energy of pugilism during its golden age of bare-knuckle brawls and emerging gloved matches. Tobacco giants like Allen & Ginter these collectible inserts to boost sales, sparking a craze among enthusiasts who traded cards featuring sports heroes, actors, and strongmen. Produced by the skilled lithographers Lindner, Eddy & Claus, the card exemplifies commercial color lithography at its peak: multiple stone plates layered vivid hues for lifelike portraits on thin cardstock. As ephemera, these prints were everyday promotions, yet their precision and bold colors elevated them to miniature artworks, now preserved in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection. Culturally, the card reflects boxing's rise from underground spectacle to mainstream obsession, idolizing athletes like McGee as working-class icons. Tucked into cigarette packs, it bridged advertising, fandom, and fine printing—a snapshot of Gilded Age hustle and heroism.

About the Artist

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

American, Richmond, Virginia|American, New York