Germany, from the Races of Mankind series (T181) issued by Abdul Cigarettes 1881

This small chromolithograph, titled ‘Germany,’ was issued by Abdul Cigarettes as part of the Races of Mankind series. These cards were printed using lithography, a process involving drawing on a stone or metal plate with a greasy substance, then applying ink, which adheres only to the drawn areas. The use of multiple stones, each with a different color, creates the final image. These cards were essentially trade stimulators, a cheap collectible included with cigarette packs. The cards themselves are thin and mass-produced, reflecting the industrial processes of the time and consumer culture's burgeoning influence. The image is not a fine art portrait, but is intended to evoke a sense of German identity through carefully chosen details of costume. These details are rendered with a high level of detail and precision, requiring skill and labor, but also underscoring the relationship between representation, consumption, and cultural identity in a rapidly industrializing world. This small card reflects a complex intersection of art, commerce, and cultural representation.