Luitpold, Regent of Bavaria, from the Rulers, Flags, and Coats of Arms series (N126-2) issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. 1888

This small chromolithograph of Luitpold, Regent of Bavaria, was printed by W. Duke, Sons & Co. sometime between 1870 and 1920. Its function was as a collectible insert in cigarette packs. The image depicts Bavaria's coat of arms, referencing its history through heraldic symbols: lions for strength and courage, diamonds for the region's landscape and the crown for sovereignty. Made during a time of rising nationalism, it evokes a sense of pride in Bavarian identity. But this was also an era of mass consumer culture, and the institutional history of the museum reminds us that it was originally part of a series of collectible cards intended to promote the sales of tobacco products. Understanding this image requires us to consider the social and economic forces that shaped its production and consumption. We can investigate how these cards were marketed, who collected them, and what role they played in shaping perceptions of national identity.