Revenue Flag, United States, from the Naval Flags series (N17) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1886 - 1891

Curator: Here we have "Revenue Flag, United States," one of the Naval Flags series of collectible cards distributed by Allen & Ginter Cigarettes between 1886 and 1891. It's currently held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: It strikes me as a wonderfully compact study of American symbolism, if somewhat romantically rendered. The composition, with the stylized flag waving above the ship, creates a striking sense of maritime power. Curator: Precisely! These cards were a marketing tool, tapping into patriotic sentiments to promote a consumer product. The flags themselves represent official markers of authority and commerce, linked directly to the expansion of American trade and influence. Editor: I see what you mean. Focusing on the image itself, I’m fascinated by the flag's peculiar design; the arrangement of stars and the central eagle add a layer of almost heraldic complexity. It draws my eye with its geometry and limited color palette, creating visual harmony and reinforcing the themes of national identity. Curator: The medium also plays a role. These were chromolithographs, a relatively new and inexpensive method of color printing at the time, making them widely accessible. It connects directly to a growing consumer culture fueled by industrialization. The imagery, the product, and the means of distribution are all interconnected. Editor: A beautiful reminder of the intersection between art, commerce, and nationhood. It's quite impactful when considered in context with the other flags within the N17 series by Allen & Ginter. Curator: It reflects how art serves societal systems. Editor: Exactly. And the composition, despite its inherent artifice, maintains its allure through calculated contrasts of form and color.