Cockney, from World's Dudes series (N31) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This is a chromolithograph titled "Cockney", created by Allen & Ginter for their "World's Dudes" cigarette card series. Here, the company employs the visual language of caricature to depict a working-class Londoner, or Cockney. Note how his clothing exaggerates the fashions of the upper class, while the bouquet and umbrella add a touch of affected dandyism. However, this image isn't merely about style. It's about social mobility and class anxieties in the late 19th century. This figure embodies a tension: a performance of aspiration, but is perhaps undercut by the slightly mocking tone of the print. Consider how the card caters to a specific consumer: someone who enjoys smoking and possesses a certain social outlook. As you reflect on this image, think about what it reveals about the complex relationship between identity, class, and consumer culture.