Crown of Italy, Italy, from the World's Decorations series (N30) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1890

This small chromolithograph was made by Allen & Ginter for inclusion in cigarette packs. This belongs to a series called “World’s Decorations.” These cards provide an interesting window into the growth of both commodity culture and national identities in the late 19th century. The Italian state, unified only a few decades before this card was printed, sought to consolidate its power through various symbols. Here, we see the crown, a traditional symbol of monarchical power, represented as a military decoration. Note the red and white ribbon – the colors of the Italian flag – which attaches the crown to the cross. Around the cross, you will see gold knots, indicating strength and unity. For social historians, trade cards such as these offer a unique view into how national identity was constructed and disseminated through popular culture. A study of the Allen & Ginter company records might reveal more about how and why they chose to represent these particular symbols of national identity.