Admiral, Belgium, from the Naval Flags series (N17) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1886 - 1891

This is "Admiral, Belgium," a lithograph from the Naval Flags series by Allen & Ginter Cigarettes, a company based in Richmond, Virginia. The image depicts a Belgian admiral, a symbol of authority and power, set against the backdrop of the Belgian flag. Produced during a period of intense nationalism and colonial expansion, these cards reflect the era's fascination with global power dynamics and military strength. The inclusion of a Belgian admiral speaks to the country’s ambitions on the world stage, particularly in its endeavors in the Congo. Consider the romanticized, heroic image of the admiral. It reinforces notions of national pride, but also obscures the complex colonial history in which Belgium played a significant role. The card functions as a small window into the ways in which identity, nationhood, and imperial power were carefully constructed and circulated through popular culture. It leaves us to consider the emotional investment in these symbols and the stories they tell, or rather, the stories they leave untold.