Colonel Richard March Hoe, printer's sample for the World's Inventors souvenir album (A25) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

Editor: This small lithograph, "Colonel Richard March Hoe, printer's sample for the World's Inventors souvenir album," made by Allen & Ginter in 1888, feels almost like a precursor to modern trading cards. It has this dignified portrait of a man in profile... I’m really curious – what jumps out at you when you look at this piece? Curator: Oh, that little glimpse into the past always makes my mind wander! Imagine finding this tucked inside a pack of cigarettes! What I find fascinating is how it straddles the line between advertisement and, well, a miniature shrine to innovation. Hoe wasn’t just anyone; he revolutionized printing! This humble card becomes a portal. Don’t you find it compelling how a everyday habit like smoking becomes intertwined with celebrating intellectual achievement? It makes me think, what would a "World's Inventors" series look like if made today? Editor: That's a good point. The connection to cigarette advertising is a bit unsettling, given what we know now, but it also reveals how popular culture elevated inventors. Are there any particular elements of the portrait itself that you find noteworthy? Curator: Absolutely! The detail crammed into such a tiny space is astounding. And notice how he’s not looking at us? The gaze is directed, fixed on the future, maybe visualizing his next invention. Also, the swirling textures of his hair and beard contrast nicely with the angular precision of his suit. Tell me, does it bring to mind any other portrait styles of the 19th Century? Editor: Now that you mention it, it’s kind of a commercial take on academic portraits that were popular then. Thanks, I am actually rethinking my initial response. It has deeper cultural meaning. Curator: Exactly. Each viewing unlocks further hidden meaning.