Falchion, from the Arms of All Nations series (N3) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1887

This tiny print of a Falchion sword is part of the Arms of All Nations series, printed by Allen & Ginter for their Cigarettes Brands. The image is a chromolithograph, a then cutting-edge printing technique using multiple lithographic stones, each applying a different color. It's worth thinking about how these materials influence our perception, and how these processes have imbued the artwork with social significance. Chromolithography was a relatively new medium at the time, associated with mass production, advertising, and popular culture rather than with high art. The process enabled the creation of colourful, eye-catching images at a low cost. This allowed Allen & Ginter to include these cards in their cigarette packs, thus turning each cigarette pack into a potential advertisement for this weapon. The amount of work involved in the production process is quite extraordinary, the design, the hand-drawn lithographic stones. When we see this work, it is important to consider the materials, making, and context to understand the full meaning of an artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.