English Diplomat, from World's Dudes series (N31) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This is a cigarette card from the "World's Dudes" series, featuring an "English Diplomat" in an exaggerated caricature style. The card was created by Allen & Ginter in 1888 as a promotional item for their brand of cigarettes. The card depicts a man in a red coat, holding his hat in one hand, with a humorous facial expression. The card showcases the popular trend of collecting cigarette cards, which were used for promotional purposes and often featured images of celebrities, historical figures, and everyday life. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York houses this small but significant piece of social history and the history of advertising.