Order of Leopold, Belgium, from the World's Decorations series (N30) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1890

This is an image of the Order of Leopold, Belgium, made around 1888 as part of Allen & Ginter Cigarettes' "World's Decorations" series. It's a chromolithograph, a color printing technique that was cutting-edge at the time, allowing for mass production of detailed images. The card depicts the insignia of the Order, highlighting its elaborate design and regal materials. Look closely and you'll notice the crown, cross, and wreath – all symbols of power and prestige. What’s easily missed is the labor involved in producing these cards at scale. Each color required a separate lithographic stone, demanding skilled artisans to transfer the image. These cards were essentially marketing premiums, designed to entice consumers to buy more cigarettes. This intertwining of craft, consumerism, and even colonialism – given that the series showcased decorations from around the world – reveals much about the late 19th century. It reminds us that even seemingly simple images are embedded in complex social and economic relationships. So next time you look at an artwork, think not just about what's represented, but how it was made, and why.