Stiletto, from the Arms of All Nations series (N3) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1887

This chromolithograph, titled "Stiletto," was produced by Allen & Ginter for cigarette cards, and is part of the “Arms of All Nations” series. Chromolithography, a color printing technique, allowed mass production of images, playing a crucial role in advertising and popular culture. Look closely, and you'll notice how the texture and details of the image are created through layers of color. This was an industrial process, yet it demanded skilled labor to transfer an image to multiple stones or plates, each responsible for a different color. The density of these layers create depth and richness that would have been extremely appealing to consumers. The image, originally packaged with cigarettes, becomes a token in a much larger system of production and consumption. The collectible quality of these cards encouraged repeat purchases and brand loyalty. Understanding the image of "Stiletto" requires that we look beyond the subject matter, and consider the work, capital, and the culture of collecting associated with it.