George La Blanche "The Marine", from the Celebrities and Prizefighters series (N174) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887 - 1888

This photographic print of George La Blanche, "The Marine," was produced by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge Cigarettes. The image captures La Blanche in a fighting stance, fists clenched, embodying the archetype of the pugilist—a figure that has resonated throughout history, echoing images of gladiators and mythological heroes. Consider the clenched fist. It's a motif that reappears across cultures, from ancient sculptures of warriors to modern political posters symbolizing resistance and solidarity. The gesture taps into our primal instincts, evoking notions of power, defense, and assertion. It echoes the *pathos formula* of struggle and triumph. This simple photograph, distributed as a collectible card, reveals how deeply ingrained these symbols of strength and confrontation are in the collective psyche, transcending time and cultural boundaries. The image encapsulates a timeless theme of human strength.