This is an original 1901 Ogden’s Guinea Gold tobacco card featuring the esteemed British painter Solomon J. Solomon, A.R.A., best known for his richly detailed portraits and historical subject paintings. Measuring approximately 1 3⁄8 inches by 2 ¼ inches, this vintage tobacco card was issued as part of Ogden’s iconic Guinea Gold series, which featured real photographic images of prominent figures from the arts, politics, and society at the turn of the 20th century.This card is number 72 in the series and it is captioned: “Solomon J. Solomon, A.R.A. — Well-known for his Portraits and Subject Pictures.” Solomon Joseph Solomon (1860–1927) was a highly respected British-Jewish artist, born in London to a family of German-Jewish descent. A Royal Academy-trained painter, Solomon became a member of the Royal Academy of Arts (RA) and was associated with the New English Art Club. He was especially recognized for his powerful biblical scenes, mythological subjects, and commissioned portraits of the aristocracy and military figures. His works often blended the academic style of the Victorian era with emotional intensity and rich color. In addition to his artistic achievements, Solomon played an important role during World War I, using his skills to develop camouflage techniques for the British military. He became a key figure in the establishment of military camouflage units, helping to blend artistry with strategy on the battlefield. This card is a tobacco card from the Ogden’s Guinea Gold Cigarettes series, issued in 1901 by Ogden’s, a division of the Imperial Tobacco Company. These cards were notable for their sepia-toned, photographic-print portraits and glossy black borders, a marked departure from the hand-drawn or color lithographed styles common in other cigarette cards of the time. The Guinea Gold cards remain among the most collectible of all early 20th-century British tobacco issues, especially those featuring influential cultural (judaica) figures like Solomon J. Solomon. SOLD
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 