Spain, from the National Flags series (N195) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co.
Medium
Commercial color lithograph
Dimensions
Sheet: 4 1/4 × 2 9/16 in. (10.8 × 6.5 cm)
Classification
Prints|Ephemera
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, Gift of Jefferson R. Burdick
Accession Number
63.350.216.195.22
Tags
Art Historical Context
Behold the vibrant "Spain" flag from the National Flags series (N195), a commercial color lithograph produced in 1891 by William S. Kimball & Company, a prominent American tobacco firm. Measuring just 4¼ × 2⅜ inches, this ephemera captures the bold red and yellow stripes of Spain's national with striking precision, designed as a collectible insert for cigarette packages. In the late 19th century, tobacco companies like Kimball pioneered promotional trading cards to boost sales and foster collecting hobbies among enthusiasts. Color lithography, a revolutionary printing technique, enabled mass ...
About the Artist
William S. Kimball & Company
**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...