African, from Types of Nationalities (N240) issued by Kinney Bros. 1890

This 1890 trade card, "African," from the "Types of Nationalities" series by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, depicts a caricature of an African man with exaggerated features. The image exemplifies the prevalent racist stereotypes of the late 19th century, portraying the individual as uncivilized but ultimately amenable to change through the consumption of "Sweet Caporal" cigarettes. The card, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, serves as a powerful reminder of the pervasive racism that characterized this era.