Walter Goodall George, 'The Champion of Champions'

Signed Ape (Carlo Pellegrini), this chromolithograph from Vanity Fair's 'Men of the Day' series portrays middle-distance runner Walter Goodall George, who held world records at every distance from one mile to ten. Pellegrini renders him in athletic kit — dark jersey bearing race number 1, knee-length shorts with teal stripe, black oxford shoes — bent forward mid-stride, arms loose at his sides. The caricature exaggerates George's lean frame and prominent nose with the good-humoured physicality typical of Ape's style, stopping well short of ethnic malice; George was a celebrated English amateur, and the distortion is affectionate rather than othering. The caption 'The Champion of champions' reflects genuine public admiration: George had recently broken the amateur mile record and was at the apex of Victorian athletic celebrity.