Sweden, from Flags of All Nations, Series 1 (N9) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1887

This small card, part of Allen & Ginter's "Flags of All Nations" series, was produced to promote cigarette sales. The image depicts the Swedish flag fluttering above a coastal scene complete with a lighthouse. Produced in America, these cards reveal much about the socio-economic landscape of the late 19th century. The commercial use of national symbols speaks to the rise of global trade and the construction of national identities for the purpose of marketing. The inclusion of a Swedish flag suggests a target demographic of Swedish immigrants in the US, a group that like many others had been drawn to America by the promise of economic opportunity. Understanding these images requires us to consider their initial function as promotional material and their circulation within a specific commercial context. Through such historical examination, we can better understand the complex interplay between art, commerce, and national identity.