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

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century commercial art with *China, from the National Flags series (N195, a colorful lithograph produced by William S. Kimball & Company 1891. This print (just 4¼ × 2⅝ inches) captures the Chinese flag adorned with imperial dragons, emblematic symbols of power and good fortune in Chinese culture. Issued as part of a popular series by the American tobacco firm, it likely served as a collectible in cigarette packs, sparking a craze for trading cards that educated (and enticed) consumers with global imagery during an era of expanding international trade and curiosity about distant lands. Crafted via commercial color lithography—a groundbreaking technique that allowed for vivid, multi-hued reproductions at scale—this ephemera exemplifies the fusion of artistry and advertising. Chromolithography's precision brought the sinuous dragons and bold flag to life, making exotic nationalism accessible to everyday Americans amid the Gilded Age's fascination with empire and Orientalism. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, thanks to the Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, it preserves a snapshot of how commerce shaped cultural exchange. Today, this unassuming gem highlights ephemera's role in art history: what was once disposable promotion now reveals Victorian-era perceptions of China, blending national pride with mythical allure. A delightful reminder of how small prints packed big visual punch!

About the Artist

William S. Kimball & Company · 1850–1950

**William S. Kimball & Company**, a pioneering American tobacco manufacturer, was established in 1846 in Rochester, New York, by William S. Kimball and James C. Hart. The firm quickly grew into one of the city's largest employers, particularly of women, producing popular brands like Peerless chewing tobacco, Rigatta and Fireside smoking tobacco, and Vanity Fair cigarettes. Under Kimball's leadersh...