Reverse Arms, from the Parasol Drills series (N18) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1888

Editor: This is "Reverse Arms, from the Parasol Drills series (N18) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands," made around 1888. It's a watercolor, drawing, and print combination. It's striking how detailed this is for such a small piece of commercial art. What's your take? Curator: I see it as an object deeply embedded in its means of production. The Allen & Ginter company manufactured cigarettes, a product whose consumption had significant social and health consequences. These cards were a marketing tool. Editor: Right, like a bonus item almost? Curator: Exactly! Consider the labor involved: from growing tobacco, to printing these cards using watercolor and coloured pencils. And it speaks to how leisure was marketed through ephemeral collectibles distributed with addictive commodities. Notice the detail - do you think the consumer really pondered it or was the impression enough? Editor: Hmm, I'm leaning toward impression. I mean, the artwork is charming, but ultimately it was meant to sell cigarettes. What were the cultural implications? Curator: Precisely! We need to reflect upon consumerism itself. Cigarettes promised a kind of social status or sophistication. The trading card furthered that while simultaneously creating collectable material. The cigarette card, a little material excess for marketing more excess. What labor produced her image? Editor: So, the art isn't just an image; it's a record of consumption and the marketing machine behind it? Curator: Indeed! A material manifestation of intertwined processes. Thinking about that gives the artwork additional layers. Editor: This makes me see how something seemingly innocuous can be so deeply connected to social and economic factors. Thanks! Curator: And seeing art's means of production leads to greater insight on not only art, but society itself.