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 artFido’s personal favorites. Visit the NYPL Digital Collections to see them all.
1. How to kill a tree stump 
2. How to make a simple gate latch
3. How to make corks fit
4. How to treat sprains
5. A hint when boiling potatoes
6. How to make a fire extinguisher
7. How to clean real lace
8. How to make a water fountain for chicks
9. How to adjust a door
10. How to test butter
11. How to cool wine without ice
12. How to clean oil paintings
13. How to Extract a Splinter
14. How to treat squeaky boots
15. How to remove a tight ring from the finger
16. How to carry a heavy jug
17. How to clean bottles
18. How to measure with coins
19. How to clean new boots
20. How to detect escaping gas
21. How to draw a circle without compasses
22. How to keep a paint brush handle clean
23. How to preserve valuable vases
24. How to take ink stains out of a handkerchief
25. How to remove sea stains out of brown shoes
26. How to boil cracked eggs
27. To separate glass tumblers
28. How to light a match in the wind
29. How to fit a large candle
30. How to tell the points of the compass with a watch
31. How to revive cut flowers
32. How to judge the freshness of a lobster
33. Three useful knots
34. How to stop a runaway horse
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