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

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th advertising with *Germany, from the National Flags series (195)*, a petite commercial color lithograph produced by William S. Kimball & in 1891. Measuring just 4¼ × 2⅝ inches, this ephemera print captures the, red, and gold stripes of the German imperial flag in bold, eye-catching hues. Issued as part of a popular tobacco trading card series, these inserts were tucked into cigarette packages to entice collectors, blending patriotism with commercial savvy during an era of booming mass production. Chromolithography, the medium here, revolutionized printing by allowing vivid, multi-color images to be churned out affordably—a technique perfected in the late 1800s for posters, labels, and cards. For Kimball, a Rochester, New York-based tobacco firm, the National Flags series tapped into global fascination with nations amid rising nationalism, just two decades after Germany's unification in 1871. This card reflects how everyday objects fostered cultural pride and international awareness. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department as part of The Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, it exemplifies the charm of overlooked ephemera—tiny artifacts that reveal the intersections of commerce, art, and history. A delightful glimpse into Victorian-era collecting!

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...