Van Spejik, Germany, from the Famous Ships series (N50) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1895

Allen & Ginter produced this collectible card, "Van Spejik, Germany," as part of a series promoting Virginia Brights Cigarettes. During the late 19th century, as transatlantic trade boomed, ships like the Van Spejik weren't just vessels of commerce, they were potent symbols of national identity and power. What does it mean to see a German ship advertised on an American product? We might consider the dynamics of global trade and cultural exchange that defined the era. These cards, designed to be collected and traded, offer insight into the cultural values and aspirations of the time. They reflect a sense of wonder about technological progress and global interconnectedness, but we might also ask ourselves, at whose expense was this progress achieved? What did the journey look like for those aboard? The image invites us to reflect on our own relationship to history, progress, and the stories we tell ourselves about who we are.