Monaco, from Flags of All Nations, Series 2 (N10) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1890

This is "Monaco, from Flags of All Nations, Series 2", a lithograph card created by Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. These cards, which were inserted into cigarette packs, offer a glimpse into the global perspective of the late 19th century. What does it mean to collect and commodify nations in this way? This card series emerged in an era marked by expanding empires and increasing global trade. The flags represented a desire to categorize and own the world, much like the consumption of the cigarettes themselves. The inclusion of these cards with tobacco products also speaks volumes about the targeted consumer base, which was white, middle-class men, who, through the act of collecting, are invited to imagine themselves as worldly and knowledgeable. Think about the power dynamics at play in creating and consuming these images. How did the circulation of these cards contribute to a broader understanding—or misunderstanding—of different nations and cultures?