Back in the 1900s, cigarette manufactures used to insert stiffening cards into their paper cigarette packs to add strength and help them last longer. Along the way, someone had the bright idea of printing trivia, artwork and even famous people and athletes (Honus Wagner anyone?) onto the stiffening cards.
In the early 20th Century, Gallaher’s Cigarettes printed a special series of 100 “How to do it” cards that included some truly useful and helpful tips for everyday situations and problems. The entire 100 card collection is part of the New York Public Library’s George Arents Collection and was recently digitized.
Below you will find 40 of the Sifter’s personal favorites. Visit the NYPL Digital Collections to see them all.
1. How to Extract a Splinter
George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library
2. How to Light a Match in the Wind
George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library
3. How to Tell the Points of the Compass with a Watch
George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library
4. How To Treat Sprains
George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library
5. How To Make a Fire Extinguisher
George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library
6. How To Carry a Heavy Jug
George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library
7. A Hint When Boiling Potatoes
George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library
8. How To Kill a Tree Stump
George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library
9. How To Make Corks Fit
George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library
10. How To Pull Out Long Nails
George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library
11. How To Measure With Coins
George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library
12. How To Detect Escaping Gas
George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library
13. How To Cool Wine with Ice
George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library
14. When Boiling Cracked Eggs
George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library
15. How To Preserve Valuable Vases
George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library
16. How To Remove Sea Stains from Brown Shoes
George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library
17. How To Make a Simple Gate Latch
George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library
18. How To Clean an Oil Painting
George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library
19. How To Test Butter
George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library
20. How To Draw a Circle Without a Compass
George Arents Collection, The New York Public Library