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

This small card depicting Joseph Fraunhofer was printed by Allen & Ginter as a sample for their World's Inventors souvenir album, part of a series included with cigarette packs. These cards, popular in the late 19th century, served as both advertising and collectibles. The choice of Fraunhofer, a German physicist known for his work in optics, reflects the cultural reverence for science and invention during this period, as well as a general turn towards German scholarship in the United States. The commercialization of knowledge through these cards speaks to the intertwining of consumer culture, education, and national identity. Allen & Ginter were keen to create an image of themselves as a patron of education. Historical archives, advertising ephemera, and business records can shed light on the motivations and impact of such seemingly trivial objects in shaping public perceptions. The study of this card is contingent on understanding its role in the social and institutional context of its time.