War Captain, Nambe, from the American Indian Chiefs series (N2) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1888

This is a lithograph card of a Nambe war captain, part of a series of American Indian Chiefs produced by Allen & Ginter for cigarette brands. These cards circulated at a time when the American government was actively displacing and assimilating Native populations. They reflect a complex mix of fascination and exploitation. War Captain, Nambe, is depicted with dignity, yet framed within a commercial venture that benefited from the systematic oppression of his people. The card invites us to consider questions of representation, cultural appropriation, and the ways in which images can both reflect and distort the realities of marginalized communities. These small cards acted as cultural artifacts, shaping perceptions of Native Americans for a wide audience. They highlight the contradictions inherent in a society grappling with its colonial past and present.