Turkey, from the Races of Mankind series (T181) issued by Abdul Cigarettes

Art Historical Context

This charming commercial color lithograph from 1881 belongs to the "Races of Mankind" seriesT181), one of many collectible sets issued by Abdul Cigarettes. Measuring just 2 3/8 by 1 3/8 inches, the card was designed to fit inside cigarette packages, encouraging smokers to gather the full set. Such ephemera reflect the late nineteenth-century fascination with global cultures, as tobacco companies used vivid illustrations to educate and entertain consumers while promoting their brands. The image depicts a woman from Turkey, part of a broader effort to categorize and represent diverse peoples through popular media. Produced via color lithography, the print allowed for affordable, bright imagery that brought distant lands into everyday American and European households. Though small in scale, these cards offer insight into how commercial art shaped public understanding of the world during an era of expanding international trade and travel. Now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, this piece highlights the artistic and cultural value of printed ephemera. It invites viewers to consider both the technical skill of mass-produced lithography and the complex historical attitudes embedded in such representations of women and global identities.

About the Artist

Abdul Cigarettes · 1881–1881

Abdul Cigarettes, an enigmatic American entity active solely in 1881, stands as a fascinating footnote in the history of commercial art, best known for producing vibrant chromolithograph trade cards inserted into cigarette packages as promotional inserts. Little is documented about its origins or personnel, suggesting it operated as a short-lived publishing venture rather than the work of a singul...