England, from the International Cards series (N238), issued by Kinney Bros. 1888

This is a chromolithograph card of England, from the International Cards series, made by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company. The card presents a collage of symbols against a stippled, golden background, immediately establishing a visual hierarchy of power. The composition symmetrically balances cultural emblems with an aristocratic portrait. To the left, the Union Jack billows, its aggressive red offset by a blue ribbon displaying heraldic insignia. The ribbon's Latin inscription—"Honi soit qui mal y pense"— functions as a signifier of aristocratic power, declaring the shame of those who think evil of it. To the right, an ornate frame surrounds the Prince of Wales, suggesting dynastic continuity. The flatness and symmetry of the images work together to flatten any deep meaning. The card becomes less about the actual country and more about the signs and symbols of power. It challenges the viewer to reconsider how the semiotics of identity are marketed and consumed.