Captain Halsey, The Dutchman Acquainted them of this Error, from the Pirates of the Spanish Main series (N19) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1886 - 1891

Made for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes, this small chromolithograph titled 'Captain Halsey, The Dutchman Acquainted them of this Error' is part of the "Pirates of the Spanish Main" series. These cards, distributed with tobacco products, reflect the late 19th century's fascination with romanticized tales of piracy, set against a backdrop of complex colonial histories and maritime power struggles. The image presents Captain Halsey, with his distinctive European features and attire, juxtaposed against a scene of conflict. This scene highlights the period's cultural narratives around race, class, and dominance, casting Europeans as central figures in global power dynamics. Halsey’s gaze carries an air of superiority, reflecting a time when these kinds of images played a role in shaping perceptions about national identity, and colonial encounters. Pirate stories, though often sensationalized, touch upon themes of rebellion and freedom, appealing to the human desire to question authority. Yet they often do this at the expense of the people who were colonized. This piece serves as a reminder of the stories we tell ourselves about the past, revealing both our aspirations and the uncomfortable truths about the construction of identity and power.