John C. New, The Indianapolis Journal, from the American Editors series (N1) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1887

Editor: Here we have "John C. New, The Indianapolis Journal," a lithograph print made in 1887 by Allen & Ginter. It’s part of a series called "American Editors", which is fascinating in itself! The coloring feels aged, almost like looking through sepia-tinted glasses. What stands out to you in this portrait? Curator: Ah, yes! It whisks me away to a time of robust mustaches and the burgeoning power of the press! Beyond the obvious historical snapshot, what sings to me is the artistry tucked inside the advertisement. Imagine, they're selling cigarettes, but they're also crafting these miniature works of art, echoes of Ukiyo-e in their composition. Almost feels cheeky, doesn't it, slipping high art into everyday vice? Does that tension spark anything for you? Editor: Absolutely, it's like a little wink! Highbrow and lowbrow colliding. Curator: Precisely! It is this democratization of art that I find intriguing. These were created as collectible cards. People acquired them without visiting galleries. And in that process the art insinuated itself into daily lives. Isn't that subversive, and dare I say, brilliant? Editor: It makes you wonder how many were actually appreciated, or simply tossed away... Curator: Indeed. It's like whispers across time. What will *we* discard that future generations might find profound, or, more frighteningly, representative? It gives one pause, doesn't it? Editor: It certainly does! I’ll think twice about what I’m throwing away from now on! Curator: Perhaps even more wisely about what you choose to *collect.*