Sieur de Grammont, Entering the Fort, from the Pirates of the Spanish Main series (N19) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1886 - 1891

This chromolithograph of Sieur de Grammont entering a fort was produced by Allen & Ginter for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. These cards, trading cards really, were popular at the turn of the century, and this one hails from a series about pirates. Here, the artist imagines a moment of triumph and honor, though for many, the history of piracy is one of violence and exploitation. Sieur de Grammont, depicted here, represents a complicated figure. A Frenchman known for his buccaneering exploits in the Caribbean, his story is intertwined with colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade. This image, though small, asks us to consider who is celebrated in history and why, prompting us to question the narratives we inherit. It reminds us of the importance of interrogating the stories we tell about power, conquest, and adventure.