Big Snake, Winnebagoes, from the American Indian Chiefs series (N2) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1888

This lithograph of Big Snake, a chief of the Winnebagoes, was made by Allen & Ginter for cigarette packaging. The image is printed on a small card, a product of industrial printing processes that made mass production possible. The chromolithography technique allowed for color printing, and the image presents a portrait of Big Snake, with attention to his features, dress, and adornments. The very production of this image, and others in the series, is rooted in trading cards used to stiffen cigarette packs. They also served as promotional items for Allen & Ginter brands. The production of such cards speaks to a cultural moment when commercial interests intersected with representations of Native Americans. In an era marked by expansion and conflict, Big Snake and others are reduced to exotic images. Their likeness serves as a marketing tool, reflecting the social and political dynamics of the time. These cards are a reminder of the complex relationship between art, commerce, and cultural representation.