George Henry Thomas, from the Great Generals series (N15) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1888

This small chromolithograph depicts General George Henry Thomas and was produced by Allen & Ginter Cigarettes, a Richmond, Virginia manufacturer. The late nineteenth century saw an explosion in the popularity of collecting cards like this one, which were included in cigarette packs. The image of Thomas, in his Union Army uniform, is set against a backdrop that perhaps alludes to one of his Civil War victories. It creates meaning through visual codes of military honor. The commercial context of the image is fascinating. Allen & Ginter sought to create a shared sense of national identity during the post-Reconstruction era. Note that they were based in the former capital of the Confederacy, and yet, they chose to celebrate a Union general. Historians of American advertising and popular culture can help us understand the appeal that these images had for a wide audience. The meaning of this card is contingent on its social and institutional context.