Send the Fire Alarm..., from the Magic Changing Cards series (N223) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company 1889

This small card, "Send the Fire Alarm...," was produced by the Kinney Tobacco Company as part of a collectible series. It’s a chromolithograph, meaning it was printed using multiple lithographic stones, each applying a different color to create the final image. The scene depicts a police officer sending a fire alarm, with instructions to hold it to the light. It was one of a series of 'magic changing cards', meaning the hidden image within the card appears when held up to the light. The chromolithography process allowed for mass production, making these cards accessible to a wide audience. But that belies a more complex story, since each color still required painstaking work by skilled laborers. And in this case, the theme of the card underscores issues of urban safety and community response. These small objects weren't considered high art, yet the craft involved and their connection to everyday life make them fascinating artifacts. It bridges gaps between commercial production and artistic expression.