Tripoli, from the Natives in Costume series (N16) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1886

This is "Tripoli, from the Natives in Costume series," a lithograph card created by Allen & Ginter, a cigarette company based in Richmond, Virginia. These cards, popular in the late 19th century, offer us insight into how different cultures were viewed and marketed during that era. The card depicts a man from Tripoli in what is described as traditional attire. Consider the power dynamics at play: a Western company profiting from the commodification and representation of a non-Western culture. How might the subject of this portrait, or someone from his community, feel about being reduced to a visual shorthand for a foreign land, packaged with cigarettes? What does it mean to exoticize a culture for commercial gain? Think about the lasting impact of these images on shaping perceptions and reinforcing stereotypes. While seemingly innocuous, these cards reflect the complex and often problematic ways in which cultures are encountered, consumed, and remembered.