Tiger, from the Wild Animals of the World series (N25) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This 'Tiger' trading card comes from the Allen & Ginter company’s ‘Wild Animals of the World’ series. It was made as a chromolithograph, a process involving a series of lithographic stones, each laying down a different color. Note how the animal's likeness is rendered through the subtle layering of tones. This printing process allowed for mass production, at relatively low cost. In fact, its very appeal resides in its accessibility. What’s fascinating is the contrast between the high-end artistry and the card's function as a promotional item for cigarettes. It's a humble thing, but it speaks volumes about the industrialization of image-making and the expansion of global consumer culture. The sheer volume of these cards made them, in effect, a new kind of collectible, accessible to a broad public. This speaks to how art and commerce can become deeply intertwined.