Order of the Seraphim, Sweden, from the World's Decorations series (N30) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1890

This is an image of “Order of the Seraphim, Sweden,” a chromolithograph trading card produced by Allen & Ginter in the late 19th century. It’s part of a series called "World's Decorations," which showcased various honors and medals from around the globe. In the late 1800s, these cards were included in cigarette packs, acting as both a novelty and advertisement. They offered glimpses into different cultures and symbols of power, but also reflect the era’s colonial gaze. The Order of the Seraphim, a Swedish Royal Order, represents a complex interplay of religious symbolism, national identity, and social hierarchy. In a time of shifting social structures, these cards both reinforced and commodified notions of status and achievement. The card invites us to consider how objects of prestige are represented and consumed, and what stories they tell about the societies that create them.