Bennington, U.S.N., from the Famous Ships series (N50) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1895

This small card, made by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes, is one of a series depicting famous ships. Printed on paper, this particular card would have been churned out in mass quantities, reflective of a society increasingly shaped by industrial production and consumerism. It’s a far cry from the labor-intensive processes traditionally associated with fine art. The image itself, a meticulously rendered warship, speaks to the growing power of the U.S. Navy and the country’s imperial ambitions. It also underscores the connection between industry, warfare, and everyday habits like smoking. The card’s materiality, its small size, and mass-produced nature, highlight the way images of power and progress became easily accessible commodities, distributed with cigarettes. By considering the context and means of production, we gain a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between art, industry, and society.