Irish, from Types of Nationalities (N240) issued by Kinney Bros. 1890

This lithograph, “Irish, from Types of Nationalities,” was produced by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, purveyors of consumer ephemera. It’s a small card, a folded piece really, that depicts a man with red hair smoking a pipe. Consider the late 19th century context in which this image was made; mass Irish immigration to the United States was met with nativist sentiments. The text below the image reinforces stereotypes about Irish identity as oppressed, nostalgic for their homeland, and hostile to the English. Notice how it posits the Irish disposition as one that vacillates between smile and bile. Though seemingly innocuous, these cards reflect a culture grappling with questions of national identity and belonging. They remind us that what seems like harmless entertainment can reveal deep seated societal biases. They serve as a reminder of how popular culture plays a role in shaping perceptions of identity.