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

Editor: This chromolithograph from 1889, "H.M.S. Jumna," was made by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as part of their Naval Vessels of the World series. It depicts a British Royal Navy ship against a pale sky and sea. I find the image rather quaint, almost dreamlike. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I'm struck by how this seemingly simple image functions as a cultural shorthand. The ship itself, meticulously rendered, speaks to Britain’s naval power and global reach during the late 19th century. But it is more than just documentation. Note how the Union Jack prominently flies—not just as a flag of identification but as a potent symbol of imperial authority. The image, circulated through tobacco cards, became a form of popular propaganda. Editor: Propaganda through a cigarette card? I never thought of it that way. Curator: Precisely. The 'innocent' depiction reinforces a national identity, associating the viewer with a sense of maritime prowess. Also, consider the typeface chosen for the ship’s name—slightly whimsical, softening the military connotations, further normalizing the imperial project. Do you notice how this romanticized image of the ship contrasts with the realities of naval warfare and colonial exploitation? Editor: I see what you mean. It's a cleaned-up version of reality. Like a memory, almost? Curator: Exactly. It performs the crucial function of constructing and reinforcing cultural memory. The very act of collecting these cards imprinted these ideals onto a generation, contributing to the era’s collective psyche. This little card then, carries an ocean of historical and cultural meaning. Editor: It's incredible how much history is packed into such a small image. Thanks, I have learned so much about seeing images beyond the surface. Curator: The pleasure was mine; exploring these layers together has been very enlightening.