Jem Smith, Champion Heavy Weight Pugilist of England, from the Champions of Games and Sports series (N184, Type 2) issued by W.S. Kimball & Co. 1887

This is a W.S. Kimball & Co. trading card of Jem Smith, Champion Heavy Weight Pugilist of England. The card is divided into two distinct registers with the subject's head and shoulders presented above an active boxing scene. The composition, while simple, is effective. The subject's portrait is rendered with a kind of stippled effect in varied pink tones, lending a sense of depth and texture. Below, the boxing match provides a dynamic contrast to the static portrait, introducing action through the figures' poses and the implied movement. Given its origin as a collectible card, the image functions semiotically, encoding notions of athleticism, national pride, and celebrity. The card is not merely a portrait, but a cultural object that reflects and reinforces values.