Spain, 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 *Spain*, a charming chromolithograph from the * of All Nations* series (N24), issued by pioneering tobacco company Allen & Ginter in 1889. Produced by skilled lithographers George S. & Sons, this petite card—measuring just 2¾ x 1½ inches—was designed as collectible ephemera tucked into cigarette packs. Part of a popular set stereotyping national "types," it likely features a woman in traditional Spanish attire, capturing the era's fascination with global cultures through colorful, accessible imagery. Chromolithography, the medium here, revolutionized commercial printing by layering vivid colors via stone-based lithography, enabling mass production of eye-catching designs at low cost. This technique transformed everyday tobacco inserts into miniature artworks, blending artistry with marketing savvy. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, it exemplifies how ephemera preserves slices of social history. These cards fueled a collecting craze among Victorians, reflecting imperial-era exoticism while promoting consumer habits. Today, *Spain* reminds us how art permeated daily life, turning a simple smoke into a window on the world's diversity—or at least its romanticized version.

About the Artist

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

American, Richmond, Virginia|American, Philadelphia