Jewel of the Garter, Great Britain, from the World's Decorations series (N30) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1890

This is "Jewel of the Garter, Great Britain," a chromolithograph card from Allen & Ginter’s "World's Decorations" series. It was originally inserted into cigarette packs. Chromolithography allowed for mass production of colorful images. It was a relatively inexpensive process that democratized access to visual culture. Here, we see an allegorical image of St. George slaying the dragon, an emblem of England's highest order of chivalry. The design is rendered through layers of color applied from multiple lithographic stones. The card’s smooth surface belies the complex labor involved. From the initial artwork to the skilled stone engraving, to the operation of the printing presses, many hands were involved. By placing these images within cigarette packs, Allen & Ginter turned symbols of elite status into easily consumed commodities. These cards were designed to be collected and traded, creating a kind of social network around the act of consumption. So, remember that even seemingly small, mass-produced items like this one carry a rich history of materials, making, and social context.