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

This small chromolithograph of Michigan’s state flag was produced by Allen & Ginter, a cigarette company based in Richmond, Virginia. This card, dating from the late 19th century, was part of a series of promotional items inserted into cigarette packs. The flag itself, rendered in miniature, is full of symbolic imagery: an eagle representing the United States, elk and moose representing Michigan’s natural resources, and Latin mottos invoking unity and beauty. Below the flag, we see a depiction of mining activity, highlighting the economic importance of resource extraction to the state’s identity. Produced during a period of rapid industrialization and westward expansion in the United States, the card reflects the era’s boosterism and promotion of regional pride. As historians, we might want to consider the relationship between consumer culture, the promotion of state identity, and the social and environmental impact of industries like tobacco and mining. Resources at institutions such as the Library of Congress or state historical societies could help us better understand the image’s cultural context.