Frankfurt, from World's Dudes series (N31) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This small chromolithograph from Allen & Ginter's "World's Dudes" series, a cigarette card, offers a glimpse into the world of late 19th-century consumer culture. Produced in the United States, the image presents a man identified as being "from Frankfurt," which is inscribed at the top of the card, embodying a type of cosmopolitan masculinity then circulating through popular imagery. The figure, stylishly dressed with a bowler hat and umbrella, is set against a backdrop evoking European urbanity. The architecture and streetlamp suggest a modern, civilized setting, reinforcing the idea of "Frankfurt" as a place of sophistication. Distributed with Allen & Ginter cigarettes, these cards were designed to appeal to a growing consumer base. We can consider this image through a lens of institutional history, looking at how the rise of mass media and advertising shaped perceptions of national identity and class. Further research into advertising ephemera and social histories of the period would provide a fuller understanding of the image's cultural significance.