Catalonia, from the City Flags series (N6) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1887

This small card was made by the Allen & Ginter cigarette company as part of a series of city flags. Such cards, popular in the late nineteenth century, were included in cigarette packs, incentivizing repeat purchases and brand loyalty. Here, above an image of what appears to be the Christopher Columbus monument in Barcelona, flies the flag of Catalonia. At the time of its making, Catalonia was part of Spain but had a distinct cultural identity and language, and a movement for independence. The inclusion of the Catalan flag in this set could be interpreted as a nod to the region's unique identity. But ultimately these cards reflect the global reach of American tobacco companies and their efforts to appeal to consumers through collectable imagery. To truly understand this image, we might research the history of the tobacco industry, the role of advertising in shaping consumer culture, and the complex relationship between Catalonia and Spain.