King of Sweden, from World's Sovereigns series (N34) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

This vibrant chromolithograph, *King of Sweden* from & Ginter's *'s Sovereigns* series (N34), captures the regal portrait of Sweden's monarch amid ornate coat of arms, issued in 1889 as a promotional insert for cigarette packs. In the late 19th century, American companies like Allen & G pioneered trading cards to boost sales and appeal to collectors, turning everyday smokes into gateways for education and fascination with global royalty. This tiny card (just 2¾ × 1½ inches) reflects the era's imperial curiosity, showcasing European kings alongside world leaders in a series that celebrated power and prestige. Printed via commercial color lithography—a breakthrough technique enabling mass-produced, vivid hues on paper—the artwork exemplifies affordable artistry for the masses. Chromolithography's layered printing process brought lifelike portraits and heraldic details to life, making high-society imagery accessible beyond elite paintings. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, this ephemera highlights how disposable marketing became enduring cultural artifacts. For visitors, it offers a window into Victorian collecting mania and the blend of commerce with portraiture tradition.

About the Artist

Allen & Ginter

Allen & Ginter, the pioneering American tobacco firm based in Richmond, Virginia, emerged around 1880 from the partnership of John F. Allen and Lewis Ginter, evolving from Allen's earlier John F. Allen & Company. Allen retired in 1882, succeeded by John Pope, yet the brand endured under Ginter's leadership, employing over 1,100 workers—mostly women—for hand-rolled cigarettes by 1886. Ginter, a Dut...