Morning Glory (Convolvalus arrensis), from the Flowers series for Old Judge Cigarettes 1890

This is "Morning Glory," a promotional card made by Goodwin & Company, probably in the late 19th century. These cards were printed in bulk, and included in packs of Old Judge Cigarettes. Consider the techniques involved: from the photography of the original image, to the processes of chromolithography, which allowed for mass production in color. The card’s dimensions are small, yet the image is vivid. This kind of saturated color was a real selling point at the time. The purpose of this was, of course, to associate smoking with pleasant things, like flowers, but it also tells us something about shifting attitudes towards consumerism and leisure. Cheaply made, widely distributed, and ephemeral by design, this little card, like the cigarette it came with, was ultimately intended for consumption. It is a potent reminder of the power of images to shape desire, and to blur the lines between art, advertising, and everyday life.