Lafayette, from the Great Generals series (N15) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1888

This is a chromolithograph from a series of trading cards produced by Allen & Ginter, a popular brand of cigarettes in the late 19th century. The card features a portrait of the Marquis de Lafayette, a French military officer and aristocrat who fought for American independence in the Revolutionary War. Lafayette is depicted in his military uniform, with the French flag and a line of soldiers in the background. This is a fine example of the “trade card” genre that was quite popular in the late 19th century. The cards, which featured a variety of subjects such as historical figures, sports figures, and actors, were given away with cigarette packages as a promotional tool to help boost sales. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of many institutions that houses these important examples of 19th century commercial art.