Plate 9, from the Fans of the Period series (N7) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of Victorian collectibles with *Plate 9, from Fans of the Period seriesN7)*, a charming 1889 commercial color lithograph produced by Allen & Ginter in collaboration with Schumacher & Ett. This tiny gem, measuring just 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 inches, was one of a series of cards inserted into Allen &inter cigarette packs, sparking collecting craze among Americans eager for affordable art and novelty. Chromolithography, the medium here, revolutionized printing in the late 19th century by enabling vivid, multi-layered colors on a mass scale—perfect for eye-catching advertising. Allen & Ginter, pioneering tobacco marketers, used these cards to build brand loyalty, turning everyday smokers into avid collectors. This plate likely showcases elegant women with period fans, highlighting the era's fashion staples. Fans held cultural sway in Victorian society, serving as tools for flirtation, ventilation, and modesty among women. As ephemera from The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, this piece captures the intersection of commerce, femininity, and fleeting trends, reminding us how everyday objects became cherished artifacts.

About the Artist

Allen & Ginter|Schumacher & Ettlinger

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...