Greenland, from the Races of Mankind series (T181) issued by Abdul Cigarettes 1881

This is “Greenland”, a chromolithograph card from the “Races of Mankind” series, issued by Abdul Cigarettes around the turn of the 20th century. The flowering plant behind the figure bears a striking resemblance to the edelweiss flower, often associated with purity and resilience. The edelweiss, deeply rooted in Alpine folklore, appears in cultural symbols and traditions across Europe. We see its likeness in medieval tapestries and hear echoes of its symbolism in Romantic poetry, where it represents love and devotion. Interestingly, the flower's association with rugged, inaccessible terrain might reflect a deeper, subconscious yearning for the untouched and the wild. Note how the makers of this humble card tapped into a well of cultural memory, a connection to nature and survival, engaging viewers on a primal level. The cyclical journey of this resilient flower—from the slopes of the Alps to a cigarette card— illustrates how cultural symbols constantly evolve and resurface, carrying layers of meaning across time.