Miscellaneous: June 2009 Archives

As a scientist in the paper and printing industry, I have always had an attraction to colorfully printed vintage examples of the art of lithography. In particular, I used to collect old baseball cards, advertising pieces, sales promotional cards, Sunday school cards, and other collectibles. I have over the last few years turned my attention to collecting old postcards with Civil War images, which have relatively little value and can be obtained cheaply, and are still quite interesting to me as examples of period art and graphic design, as well as history.

I was fortunate enough to be guest keynote speaker at the graduation ceremonies this past Saturday of the Art Institute of York, which is one of the best graphic arts programs in this immediate area. I had a chance to speak with some of the professors, including one that I shared my love of old Civil War lithographs, postcards, and prints.

Civil War postcards are incredibly easy to find for the novice collector, as nearly every antique shop in the area has a selection of postcards. I picked up quite a few at the Black Rose Antiques Mall in Hanover, in particular.

During the latter half of the 19th century, the U.S. cigarmaking industry flourished (including here in York County where more than 100 separate small factories or shops turned out rolled cigars for sale across the region). Competition between brands was significant in many places, and shelf appeal became increasingly important. With color offset lithographic printing coming into prominence, advertising pieces became more important, and the use of colorful graphics to attract attention widely increased.

Among the industries competing for the consumer/buyer's attention was the cigar industry, which took full advantage of lithography for box and lid labels. The topics (and brands) are a dizzying array of diversity, and many of these miniature pieces of artwork have become collectibles in the recent decades. Included among the more popular subject matters is the American Civil War, and the box lid graphics shown here are from a once popular novelty brand known as Gettysburg Commanders.

Cigar boxes and lids, as well as sometimes the unpasted artwork, can be found at times at flea markets and antique malls and shows, usually for only a few bucks. eBay and other on-line markets are also a good source.