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

This chromolithograph, called Boulevard, comes from a series of collectible cards issued with Allen & Ginter cigarettes. Printing with lithography allowed for colorful images to be reproduced quickly, but chromolithography took that process further. Each color was printed from a separate stone, with artisans carefully layering them to achieve a vibrant final image. Think of it like a highly industrialized, visually arresting version of woodblock printing. The “World’s Dudes” series, as it was called, used the new technology to depict caricatures of wealthy men. What's interesting is the link between the image and the product. Cigarettes were becoming increasingly popular at this time, and were marketed as a sophisticated, leisurely pursuit. The cards provided not only a collectible but also a hint of aspiration, suggesting that the consumer, too, could enjoy the good life. So, although this tiny artwork might seem like a throwaway item, it actually reveals a great deal about the links between industry, aspiration, and the creation of social identity.