Samuel Bellamy, Wreck of the Whydah, from the Pirates of the Spanish Main series (N19) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1886 - 1891

Editor: So, here we have "Samuel Bellamy, Wreck of the Whydah," a lithograph print created sometime between 1886 and 1891 for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. What strikes me is the wistful look on Bellamy's face against the backdrop of the shipwreck. It feels like a bittersweet moment, perhaps regret or resignation? What do you read into this work? Curator: Regret, perhaps. Or maybe it's more profound than that, a reflection on the transient nature of…well, everything! Look at the colors – soft, almost pastel, belying the violence of a shipwreck. The portrait of Bellamy feels very human, doesn't it? Almost melancholic. Do you get a sense that it romanticizes the life of a pirate, even in defeat? Editor: I do see a hint of romanticism, yes. The Ukiyo-e influence adds a certain aesthetic quality, softening the harsh reality. But is it glorifying piracy, or simply telling a story, embellishing perhaps for the sake of the cigarette cards? Curator: A story, definitely embellished! Think about the purpose – these cards were essentially collectibles, designed to capture the imagination. So they would definitely focus on an exciting aspect to the tale and also a beautiful design rather than historical accuracy, right? How different is that than anything produced today! Editor: True! I hadn't considered the intent behind these cards. It reframes the way I view the image; it is just a beautiful snapshot of adventure designed to sell, and also one that is thought provoking. Curator: Precisely! It's a little window into a different era, both in terms of subject matter and media. The cards’ beauty draws us in. Editor: Absolutely. I'll never look at a cigarette card the same way again! Curator: It is funny, what an emotional image promoting smoking has taught me about art.