William I, Emperor of Germany, from the Rulers, Flags, and Coats of Arms series (N126-2) issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. 1888

This is William I, Emperor of Germany, from the Rulers, Flags, and Coats of Arms series, a lithograph issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. sometime between 1870 and 1920. These cards were originally included in cigarette packs, a curious combination of commerce, nationalism, and perhaps even a bit of historical education. The image presents the German coat of arms, a symbol laden with power and identity. It reflects a moment in history marked by imperial ambitions, and the rise of nation-states, but what does it mean to package such potent iconography with a product as banal as cigarettes? It suggests the pervasive reach of nationalistic sentiment into everyday life. The pride and power associated with figures like Emperor William I are literally consumed and discarded. These cards offered narratives, and in many ways, they constructed an idea of nationhood and leadership. They prompt questions about how power is visualized, marketed, and ultimately, internalized. The German Empire, reduced to a collectible card, invites reflection on the complex relationship between identity, consumption, and historical memory.