King of Holland, from the Rulers, Flags, and Coats of Arms series (N126-1) issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. 1888

This vibrant lithograph, "King of Holland," was issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as part of a series featuring rulers, flags, and coats of arms. These cards were commonly included in cigarette packs, reflecting a late 19th-century culture of commercial promotion intertwined with symbols of national identity. What we see here is an example of cultural production that straddles the line between commercial and cultural representation, but it offers us a glimpse into the construction of national identity at the time. The portrait of the King, the flag, and the coat of arms, presented alongside the advertisement for ‘Honest Long Cut’ tobacco, invite questions about power, trade, and national pride. The commercial context of this image—distributed with tobacco products—complicates the narrative. The card reflects the emotional connections people form with national symbols. It encourages us to reflect on the relationship between commerce, identity, and the collective narratives that shape our understanding of nationhood.