Order of the Sun and Lion, Persia, from the World's Decorations series (N30) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1890

This lithograph of the Order of the Sun and Lion, Persia, comes from the World's Decorations series for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. The company produced these cards using lithography, a printing process that allows for detailed and colorful images. The card illustrates a medal conferred by the Persian government, probably to curry favor with its citizens. The lithographic process, with its mechanical efficiency, stands in stark contrast to the painstaking handcraft typically associated with jewelry and regalia. Each card was one of thousands churned out daily to be included in cigarette packs. The texture of the card itself is smooth and uniform, betraying little evidence of the labor involved in its production. Yet, behind this image lies a complex web of global trade, manufacturing, and consumerism. Understanding its creation encourages us to question traditional hierarchies that separate craft from industry, challenging us to consider the cultural and economic forces that shape our perception of value.