Arabia, from the Natives in Costume series (N16) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1886

This small card is part of the “Natives in Costume” series by Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. Produced at a time of growing U.S. expansionism, these cards were designed to accompany cigarette packs. The series exoticizes foreign people for the consumption of American audiences. In "Arabia," the figure is presented through an orientalist lens, emphasizing a costume that signifies otherness. The card constructs a narrative of the "Arab" identity as exotic and distinct from Western norms, reinforcing stereotypes. By associating these images with consumer goods like cigarettes, the company normalized a worldview rooted in cultural hierarchies. These images are not neutral representations; they actively participate in constructing and perpetuating power imbalances. The "Arabia" card functions as a cultural artifact, reflecting and shaping the attitudes of its time, highlighting the connections between commerce, representation, and the construction of identity.