Japan, from the Types of All Nations series (N24) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century advertising with *Japan, from the Types of All series (N24)*, a charming commercial color lithograph produced in 1889 by George. Harris & Sons for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. Part of a popular set of 50 cards depicting people from around the globe, this tiny gem (just 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 inches) captures a stylized Japanese woman, reflecting the era's fascination with exotic cultures amid Japan's Meiji Restoration and growing Western trade ties. Chromolithography, the innovative printing technique used here, allowed for bold, multi-layered colors on mass-produced cards tucked into cigarette packs. These ephemera were more than ads—they were collectibles that fueled a trading craze, blending commerce with armchair travel. Allen & Ginter's series exoticized global "types," offering Americans glimpses of distant lands through romanticized portraits. Today, preserved in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, this card highlights how everyday objects documented cultural exchange and consumer trends. A delightful snapshot of Gilded Age marketing and artistry!

About the Artist

George S. Harris & Sons|Allen & Ginter (American|American) · | – |

American, Richmond, Virginia|American, Philadelphia