Nina, from the Famous Ships series (N50) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1895

This small card depicting the ship Nina was printed by Allen and Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes in the late 19th century. These cards, included in cigarette packs, were a marketing strategy, but they also reflect a vision of the United States that was becoming increasingly popular at this time. The image promotes a vision of American identity rooted in exploration and conquest. The ship Nina is a symbol of European expansion into the Americas, a loaded image that carries associations with colonialism, trade, and cultural exchange, as well as violence and dispossession. The company Allen and Ginter were based in Richmond, Virginia and were therefore operating in a place still reckoning with the legacies of slavery and the Civil War. This image may present a nostalgic view of the past, one that overlooks the complexities and injustices of the colonial era. By studying the historical context in which this card was produced, including sources about the history of advertising, the tobacco industry, and the cultural attitudes of the time, we can gain a more complete understanding of its meaning and significance.