Captain Martel, Escaping the Scarborough, from the Pirates of the Spanish Main series (N19) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

Step into the swashbuckling world of 19th-century piracy with *Captain Martel, Esc the Scarborough*, a vibrant card from Allen & Ginter's *Pirates of the Spanish Main series (N19), issued around 1888. Produced by George S. Harris & Sons this tiny commercial color lithograph (just 1 1/2 x 2 3/4 inches) captures a dramatic moment of high-seas adventure: the daring pirate captain fleeing a pursuing British vessel, the Scarborough. These pocket-sized prints were tucked into cigarette packs as promotional inserts, sparking a collecting craze among adults and children alike during the "golden age" of trade cards. Chromolithography, the era's cutting-edge technique, brought Martel's tense escape to life with bold colors and intricate details on ships and figures, making mass-produced ephemera feel like miniature masterpieces. Allen & Ginter, pioneers in branded collectibles, tapped into America's romantic fascination with Caribbean buccaneers, blending history with fantasy to boost sales. Today, this card resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, celebrating the overlooked artistry of everyday advertising. Though small, it whispers tales of rebellion and ingenuity, reminding us how commercial prints shaped popular culture in Gilded Age America.

About the Artist

George S. Harris & Sons|Allen & Ginter (American|American) · | – |

American, Richmond, Virginia|American, Philadelphia