Order of the Iron Crown, Austria, from the World's Decorations series (N30) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1890

This is a trade card from the "World's Decorations" series produced by Allen & Ginter for their cigarette brand in 1890. This particular card depicts the Order of the Iron Crown, a high Austrian order of chivalry, established in 1805. The card shows a detailed illustration of the medal, featuring the Austrian double-headed eagle, a crown with precious jewels, and a blue and yellow ribbon. The card was likely intended to be distributed with Allen & Ginter cigarettes, functioning as a promotional collectible for the brand. This type of artwork, known as "trade cards", was a common marketing technique in the 19th century, often featuring intricate depictions of historical events, scientific discoveries, or, as in this case, cultural symbols.