Nine of Hearts, A Fairy Scene, from Harlequin Cards, 2nd Series (N220) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

This ‘Nine of Hearts, A Fairy Scene’ card was printed by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company sometime in the late 19th century, using chromolithography, a method that allowed for the mass production of colourful images. It’s a humble object made of paper, but it’s a curious intersection of commerce and art. At the time, tobacco companies frequently included collectible cards like this in their packaging as a marketing tactic. The cards were printed in huge quantities, which required a factory setting and a division of labor. The design and printing processes were geared towards speed and efficiency, yet the goal was to create something visually appealing, enticing consumers to buy more tobacco. The image itself draws on popular Victorian themes of fantasy and romance, but it’s rendered through the lens of industrial production. The bright colors, the somewhat stiff drawing style, and the use of repetition are all hallmarks of the chromolithographic process. This card speaks volumes about the changing landscape of art and consumer culture in the late 19th century, blurring the lines between art, advertising, and everyday life.