Governor General of India, from World's Sovereigns series (N34) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1889

This is a lithograph of the “Governor General of India”, made by Allen & Ginter Cigarettes as part of the “World’s Sovereigns” series. These cards were inserted into cigarette packs, acting as promotional items during the height of British colonialism. This image presents us with an intriguing intersection of commerce, identity, and imperial power. The Governor General is depicted with a stern gaze, embodying authority. Above him, the Union Jack looms large, a stark reminder of British dominion over India. The card’s function as a cigarette insert underscores how deeply interwoven colonial power was with everyday life and consumer culture. Allen & Ginter Cigarettes commodified global power dynamics for profit. Consider the emotional implications of this image for both colonizer and colonized. What does it mean to see a symbol of oppression packaged with an everyday commodity? This small card reflects the complex and often painful relationship between identity, representation, and imperial history.