Dromedary, from the Quadrupeds series (N21) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1890

"Dromedary, from the Quadrupeds series" was produced by Allen & Ginter for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. These cards, like this one, were included in cigarette packs to stiffen them and entice consumers. The image depicts a dromedary camel led by a young North African or Middle Eastern boy in traditional dress, with the pyramids as a backdrop. But what is the emotional landscape of this card? How do these images reinforce hierarchies? Tobacco cards often exoticized foreign lands and people, thus promoting an imperialist worldview. The placement of a child in a position of servitude reinforces colonial power dynamics, normalizing a Western perspective of dominance. Here, the serene pyramids and the tranquil desert scenery contrast with the implied labor and possible exploitation. The emotional impact of the card lies in its subtle perpetuation of stereotypes and its contribution to a historical narrative of unequal power relations.