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

This small card, one of a series for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes, depicts an Englishman in riding attire. The dominant symbols are those of equestrian culture: the riding crop, the boots, and the red coat. The figure suggests an elite class deeply connected to the land and its traditions. The riding crop here is more than a tool; it's a scepter of sorts. Consider the ancient association of horses with power, visible across millennia. The equestrian's posture and garb resonate with ancestral images of dominance. Even now, a photograph of a modern CEO in riding gear subtly evokes this ancient connection to authority. The cultural memory embedded in these symbols is profound. The iconography in this card, while seemingly simple, taps into a deep well of human history and collective subconscious associations. The symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings across different historical contexts.