Ralph Temple, Cyclist, Champion Trick Rider, from World's Champions, Series 2 (N29) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 1880s popular culture with *Ralph Temple, Cyclist Champion Trick Rider*, a colorful commercial lithograph from Allen & G's *World's Champions, Series2 (N29)*. Produced in 1888, this petite card (just 2¾ x 1½ inches) captures the dashing portrait of Ralph Temple, a celebrated athlete known for his daring bicycle stunts. Issued as inserts in cigarette packs, these cards were collectibles that fueled a craze among enthusiasts, blending sports heroism with clever marketing. Crafted by the lithographic firm Lindner, Eddy & Claus for the pioneering tobacco company Allen & Ginter, the piece exemplifies chromolithography—a revolutionary printing technique that allowed mass production of vivid, multi-layered colors on a budget. This ephemera from The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection highlights the era's obsession with champions, from cyclists to strongmen, reflecting cycling's explosive rise as a spectator sport amid the bicycle boom. Fun fact: Trick riding wowed crowds at velodromes and fairs, turning bikes into spectacles of agility. Today, this card offers a window into Gilded Age advertising and the glorification of athletic prowess, reminding us how everyday objects preserved fleeting fame.

About the Artist

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

American, Richmond, Virginia|American, New York