Egg, from the Novelties series (N228, Type 6) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

This chromolithograph, part of the Novelties series, was issued by Kinney Bros. Tobacco Company around the late 19th century. It's printed on paper, an inexpensive and easily mass-produced material, which tells us a lot about its original purpose. Chromolithography allowed for the creation of colorful images quickly and in large quantities. You can see how the printing process, with its layers of color, gives the image a slightly textured feel. This wasn't high art, but rather a collectible item included in cigarette packages, meant to entice smokers. The image, of course, is a carefully calculated advertisement, designed to appeal to consumers, with its depiction of an idealized woman. The card reflects the era's growing consumer culture, where even everyday items like tobacco were packaged with collectible images to boost sales. So, while it may seem like a simple picture, this "Egg" gives us a glimpse into the world of late 19th-century advertising, labor, and consumption. It shows us how images were manufactured and circulated as part of the marketing machine.