Present Arms, from the Parasol Drills series (N18) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1888

Editor: This is “Present Arms,” from the Parasol Drills series, created around 1888 by Allen & Ginter for their cigarette brands. It’s a small, delicate print, like a coloured-pencil drawing, depicting a woman holding a parasol, all dressed up. It strikes me as quite whimsical and romantic, but I’m curious—what else do you see? Curator: Whimsical is spot on! It makes me think of a slightly surreal garden party, perhaps. Look at how the artist plays with caricature while remaining elegant. I sense a merging of Japanese print aesthetics – that flatness and simplified form – with a very Western ideal of feminine beauty. Do you think the romanticism is intentional, or perhaps a byproduct of the era? Editor: Hmm, that’s a great question! I hadn’t considered the Japonisme influence, but I can see it now in the composition. Maybe the romanticism is partly because it was intended as an advertisement? To create a desire, an ideal associated with the brand? Curator: Exactly! It's trying to sell us more than just cigarettes, it’s selling aspiration and charm, a world of dreams just a purchase away. Think about how it speaks volumes about the era's aspirations – wealth, leisure, and an idealized vision of womanhood, cleverly packaged with each cigarette. This little card acts like a miniature window into a bygone world of desires. What do you make of her expression? Editor: I think she looks self-assured. I initially saw naivety, but you’re right – there’s a sense of confidence there, almost daring. It does make you wonder what kind of person this was in real life – or, I suppose, if she was even a real person! I'll never look at cigarette cards the same way again. Curator: And there's the magic! Every object holds more stories than meets the eye. It has made me ponder on all of the tiny details and secrets embedded in it; the fusion of cultures and commercial motivations – amazing!