Cashmere, from the Types of All Nations series (N24) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1889

This is a lithograph of 'Cashmere' made by Allen and Ginter, as part of the 'Types of All Nations' series of cigarette cards. These small cards, included in cigarette packs, offer a glimpse into how cultures around the world were perceived and marketed in the late 19th century United States. The image presents a romanticized view of a woman, likely from the Kashmir region, adorned in what were considered traditional garments and jewelry. The visual codes at play here serve a dual purpose: exoticizing the 'other' while simultaneously making them accessible to the American consumer. The production and distribution of such images were intrinsically linked to the economic structures of the time, where the promotion of tobacco products went hand in hand with the representation of global cultures. To fully grasp the implications of this artwork, one might explore the archives of advertising companies from the period. These can shed light on how cultural imagery was strategically employed in the service of commerce, and how institutions shaped the reception of art.