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

This small chromolithograph of the German flag comes from a series made by the American firm Wm. S. Kimball & Co. It was one of many such cards included in cigarette packages. This was a common advertising tactic, relying on the appeal of collecting. The flags were printed using multiple lithographic stones, each applying a different color, a labor-intensive process. In this case, the flat graphic style and somewhat coarse rendering were deliberate, reflecting its status as a mass-produced collectible. The card's significance lies in its intersection with industrial production and consumer culture. It gives us insight into the branding strategies and the circulation of national symbols during this period. These cards are also a reminder that even seemingly trivial objects can carry significant cultural and historical weight. The means of their production and distribution can tell us much about the society that created them.