Com. Farragut, from Leaders series (N222) issued by Kinney Bros. 1888

This small card was made by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, as part of their Leaders series. Produced using chromolithography, a printing technique that involves using multiple lithographic stones, each applying a different color to create a vibrant image. The mass-produced nature of these cards reflects the rise of consumer culture and advertising in the late 19th century. What’s interesting about these cards is their connection to the wider social issues of labor and consumption. The tobacco industry relied on cheap labor, and the cards were a marketing tool designed to promote sales. The imagery is of a naval commander in his prime; a subtle encouragement to the consumer to emulate this figure of authority and success through purchasing Kinney Brother's product. Looking at this card, we can see how it challenges the traditional distinctions between fine art and craft. It's a mass-produced object, but it also demonstrates skilled craftsmanship and design. It invites us to consider the social and cultural context in which it was made, and the ways in which it reflects the values and aspirations of its time.