Dromedary, from Quadrupeds series (N41) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1890

This is "Dromedary" from the Quadrupeds series made by Allen & Ginter for Cigarette cards. Observe how the pictorial space is structured in distinct registers: the top featuring the walking dromedary, the middle ground containing a human figure and pyramids, and the bottom depicting a fallen camel. The composition and color scheme—with its earthy browns, light blues, and pale greens—create a narrative sequence that is both informative and visually engaging. This card uses a semiotic system. The pyramids may signify a timeless, exoticized Orient; the human figure, colonial-era travel. These signs construct the dromedary not merely as an animal but also as a symbol of far-off lands. The repetition of the camel motif could challenge any fixed narrative. Ultimately, the formal arrangement and the interplay of visual elements in "Dromedary" operate within a network of cultural codes.