From the Girls and Children series (N65) promoting Richmond Gem Cigarettes for Allen & Ginter brand tobacco products 1884 - 1891

Editor: This chromolithograph, dating from 1884 to 1891, comes from Allen & Ginter and it’s titled "From the Girls and Children series (N65) promoting Richmond Gem Cigarettes." The child figure is unsettling – almost clown-like, but holding what I presume are cigarette boxes... What's your read on its place in history and society? Curator: It’s interesting you find it unsettling; that reaction speaks volumes about our changed social norms. Allen & Ginter, a major tobacco company, used these trade cards as advertisements tucked into cigarette packs. They aimed for broad appeal, picturing sports figures, actresses, and yes, children. The boy's attire, while clown-like to us, reflects idealized images of youth in that period. It presents a rather rosy picture, wouldn't you say? Editor: Rosy in the sense that it normalizes this child promoting tobacco products, right? Was there no societal pushback at the time? Curator: Precisely. Advertising heavily influenced perceptions; the imagery shaped desires. While we might recoil now, understand that the understanding of health risks associated with tobacco was still evolving, not universally known as fact. These images played a key role in building brand recognition and a certain cultural association with smoking. Editor: So, it's not just about the art itself, but the whole industry surrounding it. That's a little disturbing. Curator: Indeed. Reflect on what this reveals about corporate power, advertising tactics, and the slow shift in social attitudes. These cards, innocuous at first glance, unlock broader truths. It makes you wonder about the ethics of it all, right? Editor: Absolutely. It adds so much depth when you consider the historical marketing tactics around it. Curator: Right, seeing past the image to understand its socio-political context allows for a complete understanding.