Haiti, from the Natives in Costume series (N16) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1886

This small lithograph, entitled "Haiti," was made by Allen & Ginter for their cigarette brand as part of the "Natives in Costume" series. These cards were produced in the late 19th century, a period marked by increasing U.S. expansionism and cultural fascination with exoticism. The image depicts a Haitian man in what is meant to be traditional attire. The card offers a glimpse into how people from different parts of the world were perceived and portrayed through the lens of American commercial interests. What does it mean to be presented as a ‘native in costume’? The depiction here is less about individual identity and more about the construction of a generalized “Haitian” identity for the consumption of American audiences. These images can give us insight into the racial and cultural biases prevalent during the time. They simultaneously reveal the complex interplay between representation, identity, and commerce, and how these forces come together to shape our understanding of ourselves and others.