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

This chromolithograph of a ‘Dutchman’ was created as a collectible card for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes, likely in the 1880s. It's easy to see this image as a harmless celebration of global diversity through the lens of smoking culture. But let's dig a little deeper into the social context of its production and reception. The late 19th century was a period of intense industrialization and expansion of global markets. Tobacco companies like Allen & Ginter were eager to promote their products to an increasingly mobile and interconnected world. The "World's Smokers" series exoticized foreign cultures as part of their branding strategy. The figure of the ‘Dutchman’ evokes a sense of old-world charm, but also reinforces stereotypical images of Europeans, specifically in relationship to leisure. By exploring archival materials and the history of advertising, we can gain a more critical perspective on the cultural politics embedded in such images.