J. Ericsson, printer's sample for the World's Inventors souvenir album (A25) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This printer’s sample for Allen & Ginter cigarettes was made using chromolithography, a method that utilizes a series of lithographic stones, one for each color, to create a mass-produced image. The texture of the printing process is evident, with each color carefully layered to bring depth and realism to the portrait of J. Ericsson. This technique, while capable of high detail, was also a key tool in the rise of consumer culture, allowing for the mass production of colorful and appealing advertisements. The card is a window into a world where technological advancement, represented by Ericsson, was directly linked with the expansion of industrial capitalism, symbolized by the cigarette industry. These small cards were both a collectible item and an advertisement, reflecting the era's fascination with progress and its integration into everyday habits. The significance of this small sample lies in its connection to the broader social and economic forces that shaped the late 19th century.