Life of Henry M. Stanley, from the Histories of Poor Boys and Famous People series of booklets (N79) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888

This small, late nineteenth-century cigarette card from the W. Duke, Sons & Co., presents a romanticized vision of the life of Henry M. Stanley. These cards, which were included in cigarette packs, often celebrated figures of power and adventure, contributing to the era's cultural narratives around masculinity and heroism. In this image we see Stanley, with a noble gaze, set above a vignette of a Black man confronting a lion. These details speak to the complex and often troubling intersections of race, colonialism, and identity. The depiction reinforces a narrative of the white explorer as a figure of dominance over both nature and people of color. These images were consumed by a wide audience, shaping perceptions and normalizing colonial ideologies. Such imagery promoted an emotional connection to the idea of empire, fostering a sense of national pride and justifying colonial endeavors. Consider how this small card reflects and perpetuates the power dynamics inherent in the colonial project.