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

Curator: Let’s turn our attention to this intriguing little print, a lithograph from 1888. It's from a series called "Rulers, Flags, and Coats of Arms" put out by W. Duke, Sons & Co., the cigarette manufacturer. Specifically, it showcases President Hertenstein of Switzerland. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by the tonal balance. The yellowed paper lends a warmth that contrasts subtly with the bold red of the Swiss flag, creating a really engaging visual hierarchy. Curator: These cards were actually inserted into cigarette packs as a promotional tool. Collecting them became quite the craze, offering snippets of world knowledge right along with your tobacco. Think of it as early corporate branding meets educational initiative. Editor: Yes, and notice how the design emphasizes clarity. The white cross and shield, rendered in simple geometric forms, achieve immediate legibility. The addition of edelweiss flowers soften what could have been a stark image. Semiotically, it projects a sense of national pride while offering an aesthetic appeal. Curator: Absolutely. And the text below, proudly proclaiming “We are the largest Cigarette Manufacturers in the World,” frames the image with a specific capitalist intent. These cards distributed global power narratives but were literally embedded within the marketplace. Editor: And those fonts! They evoke the historical character of printed media at the time. A font becomes iconic through use, gaining a level of visual recognition and then imbuing authority into a given message. I wonder who designed these cigarette packages and considered these visual details. Curator: Well, they understood that even the smallest, most ubiquitous objects can carry immense cultural weight. What does this tell us about perceptions of leadership and national identity at the time? That they were suitable for mass consumption alongside cigarettes says quite a bit. Editor: True. Focusing solely on form, the piece uses stark colors to make a graphic statement that manages to convey what seems a rather direct and uncomplicated image. Curator: So, a little rectangle of capitalist promotion becomes a window into both aesthetics and social attitudes. Fascinating. Editor: Indeed, I’ll remember the way that the bright tones in the graphic of the Swiss coat of arms become subdued from the background aged-paper and historical typeface!