Alden J. Blethen, The Minneapolis Tribune, from the American Editors series (N1) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1887

Curator: Here we have a lithograph from 1887, part of a series titled "American Editors." This particular card depicts Alden J. Blethen of The Minneapolis Tribune. It was originally created as a promotional item for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. Editor: It’s captivating, in a strangely subdued way. The color palette is limited— primarily muted reds, browns, and creams, which creates this intimate, almost faded quality. It’s like looking at a treasured antique. Curator: These cards were inserted into cigarette packs to encourage collecting, similar to baseball cards today. What’s fascinating is how it elevates the status of these editors, placing them alongside athletes and performers as figures of public interest. Editor: Absolutely. And the Art Nouveau framing, that delicate red border, adds a layer of ornamentation, of aesthetic value, to the everyday commodity of cigarettes. It draws your eye right to Blethen's gaze. Curator: Precisely. It’s a powerful statement about the cultural role of newspapers at the time and highlights the influence these editors wielded. Think about it: newspapers were the primary source of information. These individuals controlled narratives, shaped opinions, and thus held considerable sway over public discourse. Editor: It makes you wonder about the deliberate design choices in presenting him. The composition, while conventional for a portrait, feels considered. His gaze is serious, perhaps a touch melancholic. The beard seems sculpted. All elements reinforce a sense of authority and gravitas, wouldn’t you agree? Curator: I do. These cards tell us a lot about how Allen & Ginter wished to brand their cigarettes, associating them with respected, powerful figures. Editor: Ultimately, this portrait exists at the crossroads of art, commerce, and the dissemination of knowledge. Thank you for those intriguing perspectives! Curator: And it shows how everyday commercial items reflected—and shaped—cultural values in a period of immense social transformation.