During the 1900s, cigarette manufacturers used to put stiffening cards into their packs of cigarettes to give them strength and help make them last longer.
Someone during this time had an ingenious idea to put trivia, artwork and even famous people (Elvis Presley anyone?) and athletes onto the stiffening cards.
Gallagher’s Cigarettes made a special series of 100 cards that included “How to do it”, useful tips and tricks for everyday problems in the early 20th Century.
1. How to Extract a Splinter


George Arents Collection Photo Credit
2. How to Light a Match in the Wind


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3. How to Tell the Points of the Compass with a Watch


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The whole 100 card collection was recently digitized and made part of the New York Public Library’s George Arents Collection. You will find 40 of the sifter’s personal favorites below. You can visit the NYPL Digital Collections at digitalcollections.nypl.org/ to see all 100.
4. How To Treat Sprains


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5. How To Make a Fire Extinguisher


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6. How To Carry a Heavy Jug


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7. A Hint When Boiling Potatoes


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8. How To Kill a Tree Stump


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9. How To Make Corks Fit


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10. How To Pull Out Long Nails


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11. How To Measure With Coins


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12. How To Detect Escaping Gas


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13. How To Cool Wine without Ice


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14. When Boiling Cracked Eggs


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15. How To Preserve Valuable Vases


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16. How To Remove Sea Stains from Brown Shoes


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17. How To Make a Simple Gate Latch


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18. How To Clean an Oil Painting


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19. How To Test Butter


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20. How To Draw a Circle Without a Compass


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