Illinois, from Flags of the States and Territories (N11) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1888

This late nineteenth-century lithograph card by Allen & Ginter presents Illinois, featuring symbolic imagery of its identity. Dominating the composition is the state flag, emblazoned with an eagle—a symbol adopted from ancient Rome, signifying power, victory, and divine authority. The eagle clutches a shield with stars and stripes. Here, the eagle, a longstanding emblem of imperial authority since Roman times, is re-configured to symbolize the might of the United States. We see this motif echo through time, even in Nazi Germany where the eagle was reimagined to evoke strength and dominance. The factories and steamboats below are symbols of industry and progress that were added to the flag. As you reflect on this image, consider the journey of these symbols through time, forever reshaped by the collective psyche.