Kalmuc, from World's Smokers series (N33) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This is a chromolithograph trading card, part of the "World's Smokers" series by Allen & Ginter. The subject is a portrait of a man identified as a "Kalmuc." The composition is strikingly simple: the figure is centered against a stippled light blue background, creating a symmetrical, balanced image. The use of color contributes to the image's impact. A warm palette is established with the gold of his hat, offset against the cool tones of his shirt and background. The red scarf adds depth and richness to the character's face. The subject holds a smoking pipe, a cultural artifact in itself, which serves as a signifier of exoticism and perhaps leisure. The typography, with its clean, unadorned lettering, offers a stark contrast to the richness of the image. This interplay between image and text prompts questions about representation, identity, and the cultural act of smoking.