Spain, from the National Flags series (N195) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1891

This 1891 chromolithograph card from William S. Kimball & Co. depicts the national flag of Spain. The card was part of a series produced to promote "Mechanic's Long Cut" smoking tobacco. It features a yellow flag with three horizontal red stripes and a simple pole, rendered with detail and vibrant colors. The card is an example of the "trade card" genre, a popular form of advertising in the 19th century. This particular card, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, offers a snapshot of both national identity and commercial practices of the late 19th century.