Charles Emory Smith, The Philadelphia Press, from the American Editors series (N35) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1887

This chromolithograph of Charles Emory Smith, editor of The Philadelphia Press, was produced by Allen & Ginter for their series of cigarette cards. In the late 19th century, tobacco companies used these cards as a marketing strategy. This particular card, part of the “American Editors” series, speaks volumes about the cultural status afforded to newspaper editors. Note how Smith’s portrait is paired with an image of Philadelphia’s City Hall. In that era, the press was perceived as central to civic life. The imagery subtly aligns Smith with the institutions of government. These cards reflect a time when print media held considerable sway in shaping public opinion and political discourse. Understanding this image requires looking at the history of advertising, the rise of mass media, and the evolving relationship between commerce and culture. Researching archives of newspapers, magazines, and advertisements from this time could tell us more. The meaning of art is contingent on social and institutional contexts that are waiting to be uncovered.