New Mexico, from Flags of the States and Territories (N11) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1888

This tiny card of New Mexico, part of a series of state flags, was made for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. The printmaking process reflects the industrial methods that made mass advertising possible. Consider the texture of the card. It's smooth, and the image is crisp, achieved through lithography and likely offset printing. This allowed for consistent replication on a vast scale. The image is flat, and the bright colors and bold lines were designed to catch the eye. The flag, the landscape behind it, and the text announcing the brand all vie for attention. These cards were not intended as high art, but as promotional ephemera, designed to be collected and traded, encouraging brand loyalty. Their ubiquity speaks to the rise of consumer culture, and the way art became intertwined with the marketplace. By considering the materials, printing methods, and social context, we can see this card as more than just a commercial object. It is a window into the rapid industrialization and marketing strategies of the late 19th century.