Featured Antique advertising pin back ... what can you tell me?

Picked up a number of antique pin backs this weekend at a sale. Most I have found online. (Maybe post on "finds" some are pretty cool-- including bicycle ones from the late 1800's!)

For this particular pin, was the company on the back the firm that made the pin (or was it to advertise that company?) I'm sure the image means something obvious, but wasn't sure what country that 2nd flag was from. Any help?

 

Cuban flag?

 

Ah! The Spanish American War probably. Thanks!

 

There were a number of cigar manufacturers that included small celluloid pinback buttons in their products. There were a number of subject matters but many were patriotic themes. I've seen large sets of pinbacks with individual countries flags on them. I also have a few pins with the eagle, shield, and arrows motif and one commemorating the sinking of the Maine. I believe that most are last decade of 19th century or early 20th century.

 

Political, not advertising, pinback. Spanish-American War. 1898. An important year in Spanish history as, after centuries of being a great world power, Spain lost its last remaining colonies -- Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam -- after armed conflict with the United States.

Debora