Jerusalem, from the City Flags series (N6) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1887

Editor: Here we have a curious piece, a print titled "Jerusalem, from the City Flags series (N6) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands," dating back to 1887. It’s quite small and almost has a fantastical storybook quality to it. I'm especially struck by the flag with its multiple crosses. What's your interpretation? Curator: Ah, yes! It *does* whisper tales, doesn't it? This little gem speaks volumes about how the late 19th century viewed the world – packaged neatly into collectible cigarette cards! That flag you noticed, representing Jerusalem, looms large over an idealized depiction of the city. But observe, it's an imagined Jerusalem, seen through the lens of Orientalism and academic art. What catches your eye about that combination of styles? Editor: Well, the precision and detail of the buildings seem very academic, almost like an architectural drawing. But then the romantic, soft lighting and the exotic figures give it that Orientalist flair. Curator: Precisely! It’s this fascinating tension that makes it sing. Allen & Ginter weren't just selling cigarettes; they were selling dreams of distant lands, history lessons simplified, exoticism commodified. They're telling us a grand story, yet reducing it to the scale of a consumer product. It is more advertisement than accurate cultural documentation. The drawing is designed to evoke curiosity. Does it make you curious? Editor: Definitely. It makes me want to learn more about how Jerusalem was perceived at the time and question the accuracy of the representation. Curator: Indeed! It's a portal to understanding not just Jerusalem, but the complex way the West viewed the “Orient," wrapped up in consumerism. What a thought, lighting up a cigarette and contemplating Jerusalem. Editor: It’s amazing how a seemingly simple cigarette card can open up such a multi-layered conversation about history, culture, and commerce.