William Sexton, Billiard Player, from World's Champions, Series 1 (N28) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century American pop culture with *William Sexton, Billiard Player*, a colorful gem from the *World's, Series 1 (N28)* issued by the pioneering tobacco company Allen & G in 1887. This petite commercial color lithograph (just 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 inches) captures the poised intensity of Sexton, a celebrated billiards champion, in a portrait that celebrates athletic prowess amid the era's growing fascination with sports heroes. Produced via chromolithography—a cutting-edge technique blending multiple lithographic stones for rich, vivid hues—this card exemplifies the mass-produced artistry of promotional ephemera. Allen & Ginter revolutionized marketing by tucking these collectible inserts into cigarette packs, transforming everyday smokes into treasure hunts for fans. Billiards, a gentlemanly pursuit blending skill and strategy, found new fame through such cards, bridging leisure, celebrity, and commerce in Gilded Age America. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection—a legendary archive of American prints and cards gifted by the avid collector—this tiny print whispers tales of forgotten rivalries and the dawn of modern fandom. A delightful snapshot of history in your hand!

About the Artist

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

American, Richmond, Virginia|American, New York