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

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century ephemera with *Chili, from the Races of Mankind seriesT181)*, a diminutive commercial color lithograph issued by Abdul Cigarettes in 1881. Measuring just 2 3/8 × 1 3/8 inches, this tiny print was one of many collectible trading cards tucked into packs to entice buyers and foster collecting fervor. Part of a series categorizing global "races," it likely portrays a woman from Chile—reflected in the evocative title and "Women" tag—capturing the era's fascination with ethnography through mass-produced imagery. Chromolithography, the medium here, revolut...

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...