Monocle and Eye (brown), from Jocular Ocular series (N221) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

The Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company made this small lithograph on paper around 1889, as part of their Jocular Ocular series. Lithography is a printmaking process, using a stone or metal plate with a completely smooth surface. An image is drawn on the surface with a greasy medium, and then inked. The ink sticks to the greasy parts and is repelled by the wet, non-greasy parts, allowing the image to be transferred to paper. This print of an eye behind a monocle is relatively simple, but the success of the final product depended on the skill of the draughtsman, and the printing technician’s expertise in transferring the image onto paper. The image was intended to be included in cigarette packs as collectible advertising cards, which were immensely popular at the time. The sets of cards provided consumers with a visual treat, while also promoting brand loyalty. Considering the materials, making process, and original context of the image, we understand how it blurs the boundary between industry, commercialism and visual culture.