John R. McLean, The Cincinnati Enquirer, from the American Editors series (N35) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1887

This chromolithograph of John R. McLean, the owner of *The Cincinnati Enquirer*, was part of a series of cards inserted into Allen & Ginter cigarette packs. The late 19th century saw a surge in mass media and consumerism, as tobacco companies sought to increase sales through collectible cards that featured popular figures of the time. McLean, a prominent figure in Ohio, also served as a U.S. Representative. The inclusion of McLean in the "American Editors" series speaks to the cultural power that the press held. This image is a window into the dynamics of power, celebrity, and commercialism in America's Gilded Age. On the right of McLean is an image of the Art School and Museum in Cincinnati. Unlike the portrait, the image shows a building, open to the public, with members of the public enjoying what it has to offer. These cards offered ordinary citizens an intimate glimpse into the lives and worlds of those in power.