CIGAR BOX LITHOGRAPHS

A collector explores the representation of Native Americans in cigar box lithographs in his sixth nonfiction book in an ongoing series.

At the turn of the 20th century, which former high school teacher and historian Humber calls “the golden era of cigar-smoking,” eight out of 10 men smoked cigars. However, despite the centrality of stogies to American and Canadian society, the role of cigar box lithographs and advertisements has been understudied by cultural historians. As an avid collector since the 1960s, Humber has shared his astute understanding of cigar box culture in a multivolume series. In this book, he turns his attention to how Native Americans have been portrayed in this medium. After acknowledging the centuries of exploitation and racism that Indigenous people endured, he argues that “a few cigar box merchants adroitly did extend due recognition to an indigenous culture that was fast-fading into extinction.” As the volume’s title suggests, these lithographs “serenaded” native culture in ways that defied racist national policies. The book, in more than 75 vignettes, explores the presence of well-known figures like Sacajawea and Pocahontas in cigar box iconography, as well as broader representations of Indian nations, such as the Seminole. Many white historical figures who interacted with Native Americans, including explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and painter George Catlin, also make appearances. The strength of the book lies in its rich selection of more than 100 full-color lithographs, in addition to photographs, paintings, advertisements, and other ephemera. Overall, this is a visually stunning glimpse into late 19th- and early 20th-century popular culture. Its short chapters employ an enthusiastic prose style that blends Humber’s keen understanding of cigar box lithography with historical context regarding the events, people, and time periods depicted. However, much of the narrative is laudatory in its tone. This occasionally leads to questionable assertions, as when Lewis and Clark are praised for having “affirmed sovereignty of the United States throughout the region” that they explored. A general lack of formal citations may also make the scholarly readers bristle.

A beautifully designed book that’s hampered by a sometimes-simplistic historical narrative.