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

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century ephemera with *Russia, from the National Flags series (N195, a charming commercial color lithograph produced by William S. Kimball & Company in1891. Issued as promotional inserts for Kimball's tobacco products, these tiny cards (just 4¼ × 2⁹/₁₆ inches) captured the imagination of collectors by showcasing international flags and coats of arms This piece highlights Russia's imperial emblem—likely featuring the iconic double-headed eagle—amid a wave of global fascination with nations during the Tsarist era and the lead-up to events like the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. The artwork exemplifies chromolithography, a revolutionary printing technique that allowed for vivid, multi-color reproductions at scale, making high-quality imagery accessible to everyday Americans. Far from fine art, these ephemera prints blended education and advertising, fostering a budding hobby of card collecting while subtly promoting Kimball's cigarettes. Their small scale and bold designs reflect the era's commercial ingenuity, turning mundane packaging into pocket-sized treasures. Today, this card resides in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, a landmark gift of over 30,000 items that preserves America's print culture. It reminds us how everyday objects carried cultural weight, bridging patriotism, imperialism, and consumer trends in Gilded Age America.

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...