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

Editor: Here we have "Billiard, from World's Dudes series (N31) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes," dating back to 1888. It seems to be a print, maybe watercolor and colored pencil? What immediately strikes me is how meticulously rendered the details are, especially for what seems like a commercial piece. What can you tell me about it? Curator: It’s fascinating to consider this lithograph in the context of late 19th-century consumer culture. Note the inscription for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes – this wasn’t simply art for art's sake. Editor: So, it was mass-produced? Curator: Exactly. These cards were included in cigarette packs, acting as both advertising and collectibles. How does knowing it was linked to the cigarette industry shift your interpretation? Does it impact your assessment of it as 'art'? Editor: It definitely makes me think about its purpose. It wasn't meant for a gallery or museum; it was meant to be consumed and collected by ordinary people. Curator: Precisely. And what about the portrayal of the figure? The "dude," impeccably dressed and engaged in a leisure activity – how does that reflect the values or aspirations being sold alongside the cigarettes? Consider also the labour involved in the printmaking process versus the ephemeral nature of the card’s consumption. Editor: That’s interesting – the labor to create the print versus the throwaway culture… I hadn’t thought of that. This definitely sheds light on how art and commerce intersected during that time. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. Examining art through the lens of its production and consumption provides invaluable insight into the societal forces at play.