Tasmania, from the Races of Mankind series (T181) issued by Abdul Cigarettes 1881

This small chromolithograph called "Tasmania" was produced by Abdul Cigarettes as part of the Races of Mankind series, likely in the early 20th century. These cards, distributed with cigarette packs, reflect a broader societal interest in classifying and understanding human diversity, one rooted in now-discredited racial theories. The image depicts a man of Aboriginal Tasmanian descent in profile. The choice of subject and the style of representation reveal the influence of colonial attitudes toward indigenous populations. Tasmania, then a British colony, was the site of tragic conflict and displacement of its native people. Understanding this historical context is key to interpreting the image today. By consulting archives, ethnographic studies, and postcolonial scholarship, we can examine the role of visual culture in perpetuating stereotypes and legitimizing social hierarchies. This process allows us to better understand how imagery can both reflect and shape our understanding of the world and the people in it.