George H. Hosmer, Oarsman, from World's Champions, Series 1 (N28) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1887

This chromolithograph of George H. Hosmer was produced by Allen & Ginter for their series of cigarette cards. Printed on a small sheet of paper, it was one of many inserted into cigarette packs as a collectible item, or as a way to stiffen the package. The image is a testament to industrial printmaking processes. Chromolithography allowed for mass production of colorful images, turning what would have been a specialist job for skilled artisans, into a fairly routine factory procedure. It involved the use of multiple lithographic stones, one for each color, to create the final image through layering. The result here is striking: the colors are vibrant, and the details are crisp. Yet, the card also speaks to the wider social context of its time, one of increasing consumerism and the rise of mass media. Cigarette companies used these cards to promote their products, tapping into popular interests like sports and celebrity culture to drive sales. They also relied on a whole system of manufacturing that was becoming increasingly reliant on unskilled, poorly paid work. The image itself, therefore, is inextricably linked to the worlds of labor, politics, and consumption.