New Hampshire, from Flags of the States and Territories (N11) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1888

This small card, made by Allen & Ginter for their cigarettes, is one of a series depicting US states and territories. The chosen medium here is chromolithography, a color printing technique that allowed for mass production. Look closely at the vivid colors and fine details achieved through layering multiple lithographic stones. The coastal scene, the state name, the company's branding– everything is rendered with precision. This speaks to the industrial processes involved, where skilled laborers meticulously transferred images onto stones, each adding a different hue. The card's small size and relative disposability also speak volumes about the era's consumer culture. What makes this modest card fascinating is that it collapses hierarchies of art, advertising, and everyday life. It challenges us to think beyond the traditional boundaries of fine art, and to consider the cultural significance embedded in even the most mass-produced objects. In the end, materiality, process, and social context are keys to unlocking the card's full meaning.