Mexico, from the International Cards series (N238), issued by Kinney Bros. 1888

Editor: Here we have “Mexico, from the International Cards series (N238), issued by Kinney Bros.,” created around 1888. It's a colorful lithograph print, one of a set, I believe. There's a strong sense of nationalism and pride in this little card. What jumps out at you? Curator: What strikes me is how this seemingly innocuous trade card speaks volumes about the cultural and political climate of the late 19th century. Consider who produced it: the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company. Why would they create such an image? Editor: As advertisement? And as a collectible, like baseball cards? Curator: Precisely. Trade cards served a dual purpose: advertising and reflecting, or even shaping, public perception. This particular card idealizes Mexico, presenting a romanticized view of its leadership with President Porfirio Diaz, the Mexican flag and the Order of Guadalupe. But how accurate is this representation? Who benefits from this image? Editor: I see. It is propaganda, packaged as a collectible. But was it intended to promote foreign relations between the USA and Mexico? Curator: It's more complex than that. These images circulated within a specific social sphere, shaping American attitudes toward other nations and cultures. The political agenda could reflect U.S. interests. What is not depicted here, and whose narrative is omitted? Editor: That is eye opening, I'm seeing much more than just a colorful advertisement. It really underscores how art, even something as simple as a trade card, can be deeply intertwined with social and political power. Curator: Exactly. These images played a significant role in constructing cultural narratives and power dynamics.