Saint Stephen, Hungary, from the World's Decorations series (N44) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1890

This is "Saint Stephen, Hungary, from the World's Decorations series" a lithograph made for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. These cards were immensely popular, reflecting an era of burgeoning consumer culture and global curiosity at the end of the 19th century. As part of a series showcasing international decorations, this card presents an emblem of Hungarian national identity, referencing St. Stephen, the founder of the Kingdom of Hungary. What does it mean to represent national pride through symbols of honor and recognition? The imagery here—the crown, the cross—speaks to notions of valor, service, and perhaps a subtle nod to the aspirations and values of the time. These cigarette cards not only offered a glimpse into different cultures but also participated in constructing narratives around national identity and global relations, feeding into both an allure and a simplified understanding of far-off lands. These small tokens encapsulate larger questions about how we perceive and market identity across cultures.