O.H. Rothaker, The Omaha Republican, from the American Editors series (N1) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1887

This is a card from the American Editors series, made by Allen & Ginter for their Cigarettes Brands. It's printed on paper, using a now-vanished mode of color lithography. The image shows O.H. Rothaker, of The Omaha Republican newspaper. It's fascinating to consider the convergence of industries at play here. Cigarettes, mass media, and image production are all interwoven. The card itself is a token of consumption, designed to be collected and traded. It's also a portrait, elevating Rothaker to a position of prominence, even as it reduces him to a commodity. The labor involved is worth considering, too. From the tobacco fields to the printing presses, many hands were involved in producing this small object. It's a window into a world of mass production and the burgeoning culture of celebrity. Ultimately, this card is a reminder that even the most seemingly trivial objects can tell us a great deal about the social and economic forces that shape our world. It blurs the lines between art, advertising, and everyday life.