Elias Howe, printer's sample for the World's Inventors souvenir album (A25) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This printer's sample for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes, part of the World's Inventors souvenir album, is made from ink on paper. The image is a chromolithograph, a color printing technique that uses multiple lithographic stones, one for each color, allowing for mass production of colorful images. The texture of the paper is smooth and thin, which was essential for the printing process and mass distribution. The colors, though somewhat faded with age, give a sense of the original vibrancy intended to catch the consumer’s eye. This card signifies a moment when industrial printing techniques transformed advertising, creating collectible items tied to consumption. The mass production of such cards speaks to the rise of consumer culture, labor practices within the printing industry, and the use of art for promotional purposes. It challenges traditional notions of art, as these cards were designed for everyday use. Looking closely at this card reminds us of the importance of materials, techniques, and social context in understanding the cultural significance of objects.