Seydlitz Cuirassier, from World's Smokers series (N33) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This is Seydlitz Cuirassier from the World's Smokers series made for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. These cards were collected in the context of a late nineteenth century, turn of the century, fascination with collecting and cataloguing the world. Part of a series dedicated to smokers, this portrait reflects the complex ways that masculinity, class, and identity were being constructed and commodified during this time. These cards were inserted in packs of cigarettes, inviting consumers into a world of exoticism and luxury. The figure, adorned in military attire and smoking a pipe, embodies a particular vision of masculinity associated with power, leisure, and sophistication. The figures depicted often came from diverse cultural backgrounds, reinforcing stereotypes and hierarchies. While appearing to celebrate global diversity, they often flatten complex histories into easily digestible images for Western consumers. Allen and Ginter's cards remind us of the emotional power and the problematic ways that advertising shapes our perceptions and desires.