Havana, from the City Flags series (N6) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1887

This is "Havana, from the City Flags series (N6)," a lithograph made by Allen & Ginter for cigarette cards. These cards, popular in the late 19th century, offer a glimpse into how nations and cities were marketed through the lens of commerce and colonialism. Here, we see a flag, its design bisected in blue and white, possibly evoking maritime power and purity of intent. Below, an ornate fan displays an idyllic scene of Havana. This juxtaposition of flag and fan distills a complex blend of cultural and economic values. The fan, historically an object of leisure and display, becomes a symbol of exotic allure, packaged for the consumer's gaze. These cards were not just about selling cigarettes; they were about selling ideas of nations, of access, and of privilege, reinforcing a hierarchy where some cultures are consumed by others. Consider the implications of distributing images like these during a time of intense imperial expansion, where the act of collecting these cards mirrored the larger project of colonial acquisition.