Matelot, from National Dances (N225, Type 1) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

This small lithograph, Matelot, was produced by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, probably in the 1880s. It’s one of a series of cards depicting national dances that were included in cigarette packs. Lithography is a printmaking process that relies on the chemical repulsion of oil and water. The image is drawn on a stone or metal plate with a greasy substance, then treated with acid, allowing ink to adhere only to the drawn areas. This print, like others in the series, would have been produced in large numbers, reflecting a significant investment in industrial production and distribution. The image shows a stylized depiction of a young dancer. His costume is carefully rendered with attention to its texture and detail. These cards were not just about advertising; they also provided a form of cultural education, albeit one filtered through the lens of commercial enterprise and colonialist ideology. By examining the materials and processes involved in its creation, we can understand more about the social and cultural context in which it was produced and consumed.