H.M.S. Dreadnought, Royal Navy, from the Naval Vessels of the World series (N226) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

This small card portraying H.M.S. Dreadnought was printed by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as part of a series packaged with their cigarettes. Printed on paper, a cheap and widely available material, it represents the Dreadnought as a symbol of British naval power. The printing process, likely a form of chromolithography, allowed for mass production and distribution. The card's small size and the collectible nature encouraged consumers to purchase more cigarettes. The image itself promotes the idea of Britain as a world power, reflecting the social and political context of the time. The H.M.S. Dreadnought was a symbol of industrial might, made of iron and steel, it represented the apex of British shipbuilding. What’s fascinating is the contrast between the high-tech warship depicted and the low-cost, mass-produced nature of the card itself. The card is a reminder that even images of great power can be tools for commerce and promotion. Its existence challenges distinctions between art, advertising, and social commentary.