Canada, from the International Cards series (N238), issued by Kinney Bros. 1888

"Canada", from the International Cards series, was issued by Kinney Bros. Tobacco Company as part of a series of collectible cards. These cards, distributed with tobacco products, offer a glimpse into the cultural and social values of the late 19th century. The card depicts national symbols of Canada under British rule, including the Union Jack and the Order of St. Michael and St. George. Alongside this imagery is a portrait of Lt. Governor of Preston, as well as an image of a child on a sled. Together, these images tell of Canadian life as a dominion of the British Empire. Consider how commercial items such as these functioned to reinforce political power. These cards provided sentimental and patriotic representations that subtly endorsed colonial structures. The commodification of national identity for consumption reveals the complex intersections of commerce, culture, and imperialism, which remain relevant in today's globalized world.