William M. Singerly, The Philadelphia Record, from the American Editors series (N35) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1887

This lithograph card by Allen & Ginter immortalizes William M. Singerly and his newspaper, The Philadelphia Record. Notice the grand Record Building adorned with celebratory bunting. Bunting, those strings of festive flags, are ancient symbols of rejoicing, akin to the laurel wreaths of Roman triumphs. Here, they signal not just celebration, but a declaration of power and prosperity. We see this visual language echoed across epochs: from medieval tapestries depicting victorious armies to modern-day political rallies draped in national colors. Consider how bunting evolves—from expressions of military triumph to symbols of civic pride. This transformation reveals how collective memory shapes and reshapes our understanding of symbols. These decorations engage us on a subconscious level, stirring feelings of belonging and shared identity. The echoes of history are never truly silent, and in this unassuming card, the past resonates with the present.