Connemara, from The World's Racers series (N32) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

“Connemara” is from “The World's Racers” series, a collectible card produced by Allen & Ginter Cigarettes of Richmond, Virginia. These cards were part of a marketing strategy that inadvertently documented the values and interests of the late 19th century. The imagery presents an idealized view of sportsmanship while simultaneously participating in the commercial exploitation of tobacco. The inclusion of “racers” from around the world speaks to a globalizing impulse, yet the series largely ignores the social and economic disparities inherent in these activities, and specifically, obscures the labor that allows them to occur. The image of the racehorse Connemara embodies themes of speed and competition. It speaks to the cultural fascination with spectacle and the celebration of animal prowess. However, the legacy of such imagery must also contend with issues of animal rights and the ethics of competitive sports, particularly horse racing. While beautiful, consider what kind of world makes this image appealing.