General Owen Williams, from the Racing Colors of the World series (N22b) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This small chromolithograph of General Owen Williams comes from Allen & Ginter's "Racing Colors of the World" series, which was produced as trade cards for their cigarettes. These cards offer a window into the late 19th century’s fascination with both global culture and the burgeoning commercial market. The depiction of General Owen Williams, presumably a prominent figure in horse racing, is striking in its detail and color. However, it is important to consider the context in which these cards were created and consumed. Tobacco companies like Allen & Ginter often used exoticized or romanticized images of foreign lands and people to market their products. These cards reflect the dynamics of cultural exchange and imperial expansion during this period. They raise questions about representation, authenticity, and the commercialization of identity, reflecting the complex interplay between consumer culture, identity, and global exchange in the late 19th century.