Leslie Chester, from World's Beauties, Series 1 (N26) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This small chromolithograph, made by Allen & Ginter Cigarettes, is one of a series called “World’s Beauties,” dating from the late 19th century. Here, we see an example of the commercial use of images. Tobacco companies like Allen & Ginter used these cards as inserts to stiffen cigarette packs and entice consumers. The images, like that of Leslie Chester, were designed to appeal to the aesthetic sensibilities of the time, promoting ideals of beauty and femininity. The figure's idealized features and delicate coloring, typical of the era, reflect cultural preferences, and gender roles. The production and distribution of such images were part of a burgeoning consumer culture, and these cards were among the earliest forms of mass advertising. Scholars of media history have documented how tobacco companies played a crucial role in popularizing color printing techniques and shaping visual culture. By studying such artifacts, we gain insight into the social values, marketing strategies, and material culture of the period.