Swede in the 30 Years War, from World's Smokers series (N33) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph was produced by Allen & Ginter for their cigarette packs, part of a series called “World’s Smokers.” It depicts a Swedish soldier from the 30 Years War, casually smoking a pipe, which seems a rather strange subject for mass consumption in the United States. Why the fascination with foreign military figures and smoking habits? Well, these cards emerged during a period of rapid industrialization and urbanization in America. Cigarette companies, like Allen & Ginter, capitalized on this by creating a sense of global awareness, even sophistication, through these collectible cards. But let's consider the politics of imagery. The choice to depict a Swedish soldier might allude to notions of bravery and honor, subtly associating these qualities with the act of smoking. To truly understand this image, we'd need to delve into the marketing strategies of the time, the cultural values associated with smoking, and the social function of collectible cards. It is only through this we can comprehend the multiple layers of meaning embedded in this seemingly simple image.