English Tourist, from World's Dudes series (N31) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This small card, made by Allen & Ginter for their cigarettes, is from their "World's Dudes" series. It's printed on thin paper, a mass-produced item intended to stiffen cigarette packs and encourage brand loyalty through collecting. The image shows a caricature of an "English Tourist." The plaid fabric of his coat speaks volumes. Plaid, especially the Scottish tartan, had become a global commodity by this time, due to industrial weaving and the rise of consumer culture. What once signified clan identity was now fashion. Consider the labor involved: from sheep farming to textile mills, to the printing processes that put this image in your hands. The card represents a world rapidly changing through industrialization and global trade, neatly packaged with your pack of cigarettes. Understanding the materials and production of such ephemera offers insight into the social and economic forces at play during its creation. This little card is more than just an image; it’s a window into the world of labor, materials, and consumerism that shaped its era.