Irish Jig, from National Dances (N225, Type 2) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

This small chromolithograph called ‘Irish Jig’ was created by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company in the late 19th century as a promotional item. It presents an interesting view of the commercialization of culture. The card is from a series of "National Dances," and it reflects America’s fascination with ethnic traditions, even as it flattened them into stereotypes for mass consumption. The figure is frozen mid-dance, his green jacket, red trousers, and shamrock-adorned hat, all signifiers of Irish identity. But what does this image tell us about the Irish-American experience at the time? In the late 19th century, Irish immigrants faced discrimination and were often relegated to lower-class jobs. Images like these, while seemingly celebratory, could also perpetuate stereotypes. To truly understand this image, we need to look at newspapers, advertisements, and other historical documents to understand the complex relationship between commerce, identity, and representation in 19th-century America.