King of the Sandwich Islands, from World's Sovereigns series (N34) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1889

This chromolithograph of King Kalākaua comes from a series of cigarette cards produced by Allen & Ginter in the late 19th century. The series, entitled “World’s Sovereigns,” reflects America’s growing imperialist interests. It depicts global leaders with a commercial aim; encouraging consumers to collect and trade them. Kalākaua's inclusion speaks to the complicated history of Hawai'i’s monarchy and its interactions with American commercial and political interests. In 1874, Kalākaua was elected King, amid a history of American and European involvement that had destabilized the island. The King sought to reinforce Hawaiian identity and culture, but his reign was marked by increasing pressure from American business interests, culminating in the 1887 Bayonet Constitution, which severely limited the power of the monarchy and disenfranchised many native Hawaiians. Here, Kalākaua is framed by a background that feels both regal and exoticizing. The card, while presenting an image of a sovereign, simultaneously underscores the complex power dynamics between Hawai’i and the United States, reflecting the tensions of sovereignty, identity, and cultural representation.