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

This small chromolithograph was made by Allen & Ginter, a cigarette company based in Richmond, Virginia, likely in the late 19th century. The image belongs to a series of collectible cards featuring city flags. Above, we see a rendering of Philadelphia’s flag. On a white banner, the city crest is supported by two female figures; the building below is likely a representation of Philadelphia's City Hall. But consider the role this image played within a larger social landscape. Cigarette cards like these were inserted into packs of cigarettes as a marketing ploy to stiffen the packaging, entice customers, and encourage brand loyalty. The politics of imagery are at play here. This small card participated in constructing a sense of civic pride, associating the consumption of cigarettes with patriotism and local identity. To fully understand this artwork, we might consult archival materials from the company itself, along with studies of advertising and consumer culture during the Gilded Age. Through this kind of research, we can understand the complex relationship between commerce, art, and civic identity.