Ponto Warrior, Africa, from the Savage and Semi-Barbarous Chiefs and Rulers series (N189) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1888

This small chromolithograph was made by the Wm. S. Kimball & Co. as part of a series called "Savage and Semi-Barbarous Chiefs and Rulers." This image offers insight into the cultural context of 19th-century America. Note the loaded language used to describe the subject. The card reflects common racial stereotypes, casting people from other cultures as ‘savage’ or ‘barbarous' which are not neutral descriptors, but are a reflection of an imperialist world view. The use of such terms reveals a prevailing attitude of cultural superiority. These cards were originally included in cigarette packs as a marketing tool. Analyzing the imagery and text on these cards helps us understand the social attitudes of the time, and the way commercial products reinforced cultural biases. By studying the language and imagery used in such ephemera, we can gain a deeper understanding of the historical context in which these objects were produced and consumed. This kind of research relies on primary sources that can illuminate the relationship between art, commerce, and cultural values.