Admiral of the Fleet, Great Britain, from the Naval Flags series (N17) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1886 - 1891

Editor: Here we have "Admiral of the Fleet, Great Britain" made between 1886 and 1891 by Allen & Ginter, using watercolor, colored pencil, and print. It reminds me of those old cigarette cards. How do you interpret this work? Curator: This miniature image is potent. While seemingly benign, it actively participated in the normalization of imperial power through everyday consumption. Allen & Ginter, through their cigarette cards, visually disseminated the grandeur of the British Empire. Editor: So, you are saying it is not just a simple image of a flag and ship? Curator: Exactly! Consider the historical context: late 19th century, height of colonialism. The image of the "Admiral of the Fleet" reinforces Britain's naval dominance, its control over global trade routes, and, consequently, its exploitation of colonized lands and peoples. The Union Jack isn't just a flag; it’s a symbol laden with connotations of power and oppression. What might seem a harmless collectible actually played a role in shaping public perception and acceptance of imperialism. What do you think about it now? Editor: That adds a darker perspective! It is unsettling how something so small and seemingly innocuous can carry such heavy historical and political weight. Curator: Precisely. It’s a reminder to critically examine the seemingly mundane objects that surround us. These objects are rarely neutral. They often carry embedded ideologies reflecting specific agendas of the era. Editor: I will certainly look at cigarette cards, and art in general, differently now. Curator: Excellent. Question everything, even what appears to be just a pretty picture.