German, from Types of Nationalities (N240) issued by Kinney Bros. 1890

This small card, "German, from Types of Nationalities," was issued by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company. It's a chromolithograph, a color printing technique that relies on creating an image from multiple lithographic stones, each inked with a different color. The image depicts a German man, pipe in hand, and is accompanied by text about seeking liberty in the land of the free. Chromolithography allowed for mass production, fueling advertising and consumer culture. These cards were often included in cigarette packs as a bonus, encouraging brand loyalty. The process involved skilled artisans meticulously transferring images onto stones, a labor-intensive process that underpinned the rise of mass media. The card's subject matter also speaks to the social context of immigration and national identity, reflecting the complex relationship between labor, politics, and consumption in the late 19th century. It’s a reminder that even seemingly simple objects can reveal much about the intersection of art, industry, and society.