Francis Spriggs, Prisoner Eating Candles, from the Pirates of the Spanish Main series (N19) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1886 - 1891

This 1886-1891 lithograph, "Francis Spriggs, Prisoner Eating Candles," is part of the "Pirates of the Spanish Main" series produced by Allen & Ginter for their cigarette cards. The card features a close-up portrait of Francis Spriggs, a notorious pirate captain, wearing a red cap and a goatee. The background depicts a scene from Spriggs' capture, where he is forced to eat candles as punishment. The image is a valuable historical artifact that sheds light on the brutal realities of pirate life during the Golden Age of Piracy.