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

Editor: Here we have "Trail Arms, from the Parasol Drills series" printed in 1888 by Allen & Ginter. It's a charming little card featuring a woman in a very fashionable yellow dress. There's a delicate quality to the print. What do you make of it? Curator: Well, the “Parasol Drills” series is fascinating because it uses the aesthetic of women’s fashion to advertise cigarettes. On the surface it seems innocuous, doesn't it? But let's think critically about the context: the late 19th century, a time of both increasing consumerism and rigid gender roles. This image presents an ideal of feminine beauty. How do you think that ideal relates to the branding of cigarettes? Editor: I suppose it makes smoking seem more glamorous and refined, something associated with sophisticated women? Curator: Exactly. And think about the term "trail arms" and "parasol drills" – there is militaristic vocabulary in this image of leisure. Does this suggest anything about the role of women during this period? How did women wield power, in what circumstances? Editor: I hadn’t thought of that. It seems like it’s implying some kind of soft power through presentation and propriety. It’s all very coded, isn't it? Curator: Indeed. These cards are products of their time, reflecting and reinforcing societal expectations. It is a valuable insight into the intersection of gender, commerce, and power dynamics in that era. This opens avenues for examining how marketing strategies still rely on the power of those intersecting themes. Editor: That is a great new way to look at cigarette cards; much more than just collecting pretty pictures! Curator: Precisely! It reminds us that even seemingly harmless images can be powerful cultural artifacts, ripe for critical analysis.