Arquebus, from the Arms of All Nations series (N3) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1887

This chromolithograph by Allen & Ginter Cigarettes, part of the "Arms of All Nations" series, was made to be collected, traded, and enjoyed while smoking. The lithographic process involves drawing on a flat stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then treating the surface so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas. Chromolithography adds layers of color, each requiring a separate stone, demanding meticulous registration and skilled labor to achieve such a detailed image at this scale. Consider how the card, made to be given away with a smoke, links artistry and commerce. The card's subject, a soldier holding an arquebus, is also telling. The image romanticizes military power and technology. The original arquebuses were painstakingly hand-crafted objects. Here, the image of the weapon has become a mass-produced collectible, demonstrating how manufacturing can transform cultural symbols into commodities. This artwork reminds us of the complex relationship between materials, making, and the social context of production. It challenges traditional notions of art by highlighting the artistry embedded in everyday, commercial objects.