Jaguar, from the Quadrupeds series (N21) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1890

This small card, featuring a jaguar, was mass-produced by Allen & Ginter as part of a series included in their cigarette packs. The printing process, likely a form of chromolithography, allowed for inexpensive color images. The jaguar is rendered with remarkable detail for such a small format, and its production reflects the rise of consumer culture in the late 19th century. Cigarette cards like these were designed to be collected and traded, and acted as a small advertisement of consumer products. The creation of these cards involved a complex division of labor, from the artists who created the original designs to the factory workers who operated the printing presses. The amount of work involved in mass production stands in stark contrast to earlier, artisanal forms of printmaking. Considering the materials, making, and context of this small card allows us to understand its significance beyond its surface appearance, challenging the traditional hierarchy between fine art and commercial craft.