George R. Crook, from the Great Generals series (N15) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1888

This is a lithograph of General George Crook, made for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes, probably in the 1880s. These cards were inserted into cigarette packs as a marketing tactic, a small, cheap premium for smokers. But they are also fascinating documents of the period. The 'Great Generals' series reveals a late 19th century fascination with military heroes. Crook was a controversial figure, known for his role in the Indian Wars. The image presents him as a rugged, outdoorsman type, with a mountain range in the background that evokes the landscapes where he campaigned. But it also romanticizes a brutal history of conquest and displacement. The image’s availability as a consumer good speaks to how the memory of these events was being shaped and commodified. To fully understand this card, we need to look at the history of advertising, popular culture, and the military, as well as the visual codes of heroism and power. Studying these seemingly trivial objects can reveal much about the social values of their time.