I am on fire.



There's a great series of cigarette cards at the NYPL digital site. Cigarette cards were included in packs around the turn of the century..and then seemed to migrate to gum packs for some reason. I love the idea of a turn of the century chap opening up his pack of Arents and learning a bit about British Military Insigniae, American Newspaper Editors, or The Age of Power and Wonder. There are hundreds of these cig cards at this site, with every subject from 'Cities of the World' to tips on Bridge, and of course 'Beauties of All Nations'. This series combines an esoteric topic (Nautical Signals) and the ever popular pretty girl shots, with amusing, suggestive juxtapositions, as above, or "You are in danger", "Want assistance" and..."Let go the buoy." (!?). Awesome!

sugggestive nautical signal cigarette cards