Armoured steel cruiser New York 1893

This lithograph of the Armoured Steel Cruiser New York was made around 1893 by Currier and Ives. We see an impressive battleship cutting through the waves, flying American flags. Flags, rising high, have long been potent symbols. Consider the Roman standards, the vexillum, carried into battle. These weren't just identifiers; they were rallying points, imbued with the spirit of the legion, promising victory and Roman glory. Similarly, flags have adorned ships for centuries as an expression of national identity. Now, look again at the American flag here: it speaks of national pride and military might, but also, perhaps, carries an echo of the past. This image strikes a chord in our collective memory, resonating with the primal human impulse to assert dominance and protect our own. The cruiser, with its stark, looming presence, becomes a vessel not just of steel, but of deeply embedded emotions. Through the ages, these symbols are forever imprinted in our minds, resurfacing in new forms, forever changed.