Richard H. Silvester, The Washington Post, from the American Editors series (N35) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1887

This small chromolithograph card was manufactured by Allen & Ginter for their cigarettes, likely in the 1880s. It depicts Richard H. Silvester, connected to The Washington Post, against a backdrop of the U.S. Capitol. These cards were part of a larger phenomenon of advertising that arose with the growth of industrial capitalism. Cigarette companies sought new ways to market their products, and these cards were designed to be collected and traded, which would promote brand loyalty. This particular card reflects a turn-of-the-century fascination with leaders, but its placement within a cigarette pack also brings up questions around the ethics of promotional advertising. What strategies did corporations use to court public favor? What role did the media play? Understanding these dynamics requires historical research into advertising strategies, media history, and the social impact of tobacco. Art provides a lens through which we can examine these structures and how consumer culture developed in the United States.