Switzerland, 1 Franc, from the series Coins of All Nations (N72, variation 1) for Duke brand cigarettes 1889

This is a chromolithograph produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co. around the turn of the 20th century, as part of a series of collectible cards included in cigarette packs. This card, titled "Switzerland, 1 Franc," depicts a Swiss maiden carrying cheese, overlaid with an image of the Swiss currency. The commercial series was made to promote a brand of cigarettes, so the representation of Switzerland is flattened into a set of stereotypical markers of national identity designed to be easily recognizable to an American audience. The popularity of collecting cards like these speaks to the increasing mass production and consumption of goods during the Gilded Age, and how different cultures were being packaged and marketed to consumers. These cards offer us a glimpse into how national identities were constructed and disseminated through commercial channels. To understand them better, we could research the marketing strategies of tobacco companies at the time, and explore the broader history of advertising and consumer culture.