Emperor of Germany, from World's Sovereigns series (N34) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1889

This is ‘Emperor of Germany’ from the ‘World's Sovereigns’ series for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. These cards, popular in the late 19th century, were inserted into cigarette packs, revealing much about the cultural values of the time. In this portrait, the Emperor is adorned in his royal regalia, a powerful symbol of European monarchy. But let's not overlook the card's origin – a product of a tobacco company. This brings into question the complex relationship between imperial power and commercial interests. It also forces us to consider the working class, many of whom were involved in the cultivation of tobacco, who would likely never be able to purchase such luxury items as cigarettes, let alone imagine themselves as an Emperor. The emotional allure of these cards lies in their promise of access, even if fleeting, to a world of power and prestige, even as they perpetuate a social hierarchy. Consider the stories these images tell, not just of emperors, but of the laborers, consumers, and cultural norms that gave them meaning.