Richelieu, French Navy, from the Naval Vessels of the World series (N226) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

This is Richelieu, French Navy, a collectible card made by Kinney Bros., presumably around the late 19th century, as part of their Naval Vessels of the World series. Cigarette cards like this were immensely popular and served as miniature showcases of the world. What does it mean to turn a warship into a collectible? Kinney Brothers were aiming at a primarily male audience, feeding into both a sense of national pride and a burgeoning culture of collecting and classifying. While these cards appear benign, even quaint, they also reveal how consumer culture can normalize and even celebrate military power. Consider how this image might have been received during a time of intense colonial expansion and naval competition. It's a reminder of the complex ways in which everyday objects can reflect and reinforce dominant ideologies. It prompts us to consider the relationship between consumerism, nationalism, and the representation of power.