On Guard, from the Parasol Drills series (N18) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century advertising with *On Guard*, a charming chromolithograph from the 1888 Parasol Drills series (N18 produced by Schumacher & Ettlinger for Allen Ginter Cigarettes. tiny cards—measuring just 2¾ x 1½ inches—were tucked into cigarette packs as collectible inserts, sparking a craze for trading and album-filling among enthusiasts. Allen & Ginter, pioneers of the tobacco industry, used such series to promote their brands, blending promotion with entertainment through whimsical themes like women performing synchronized "drills" with parasols. The artwork showcases a poised female figure in a dynamic "on guard" stance, evoking fencing or military precision but playfully adapted to Victorian fashion accessories. Chromolithography, the medium's hallmark, allowed for bold, multi-layered colors and fine details in mass production, making these ephemera both affordable art and cultural snapshots. Issued amid growing interest in women's physical culture and public performances, the series highlighted feminine grace and athleticism, challenging genteel norms with a touch of empowerment. Today, preserved in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, *On Guard* reminds us how everyday commerce fueled artistic innovation and popular collecting, turning a simple cigarette card into a window on Gilded Age America.

About the Artist

Schumacher & Ettlinger|Allen & Ginter (American|American) · |1800 – |1900

American, Richmond, Virginia|New York