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

Allen & Ginter, a cigarette brand from Richmond, Virginia, created this lithograph of Bremen as part of their City Flags series. These cards, tucked into cigarette packs, weren't just about selling tobacco; they were about selling an idea of the world. Consider the context: late 19th century America, a time of expansion, industrialization, and increasing global interest. The flags aren't merely representations of cities; they're symbols of power, trade, and colonial ambition. The inclusion of Bremen speaks to the cultural and economic ties between America and Europe. It’s fascinating how something as small as a cigarette card can become a window into understanding the ways in which identity and place were being constructed and marketed. The reality of the world and your place within it sold in a tiny card.