Spain, from the National Flags series (N195) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1891

This small chromolithograph of the Spanish flag comes from a series produced by the American tobacco company, William S. Kimball & Co. The series, titled “National Flags,” was a promotional item included in packs of Mechanic’s Long Cut tobacco, tapping into a surge of national pride and global awareness in the late 19th century. In the late 1800s, the US witnessed rapid industrialization and expansion, with companies like Kimball seeking to broaden their appeal through such collectible series. Beyond its aesthetic representation, this little flag reflects the economic structures of its time. The very act of collecting such items speaks to a growing middle class with disposable income and the leisure time to engage in such hobbies. Understanding the context around such pieces requires a look into marketing, trade and social history, so that we can learn about the everyday lives of people long gone.