Harlequin Series 2, a set of playing cards issued as premiums by Kinney Brothers Tobacco 1889

This is a playing card from the Harlequin Series 2, distributed as premiums by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company. These cards emerged during a time when tobacco companies used promotional items to cultivate brand loyalty. This card presents a unique twist on traditional royalty. The figure is adorned with a crown, yet there’s a playful irreverence in his stance, his cigar, and the potted plants. It reflects a tension between established hierarchies and a more whimsical sensibility. What does it mean to see a "king" not in a stately pose, but as a figure caught between worlds? His somewhat comical appearance challenges the traditional, stoic representation of power. The Harlequin series, through its playful characters, might be seen as subtly questioning the rigid social norms of the late 19th century. The figure invites us to reflect on who gets to be in positions of power.