Arethuse, France, from the Famous Ships series (N50) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1895

This is a small card depicting the French ship Arethuse, made around 1888 by Allen and Ginter as part of a series for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. At the time, collectible cards like this were often included in cigarette packs as a marketing strategy, reflecting the growth of consumer culture and mass production. The "Famous Ships" series speaks to the era's fascination with naval power and global exploration. France, like other European nations, was expanding its colonial reach, and naval strength was a key part of this project. The image itself, though small, conveys a sense of the ship's size and technological advancement. It would have appealed to consumers interested in current events and the projection of national power. To understand this image fully, we can research the history of naval technology, French colonialism, and the marketing strategies of tobacco companies. The meaning of this seemingly simple card lies in its connection to these broader historical contexts.