Alabama, from Flags of the States and Territories (N11) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1888

Editor: So this little gem is "Alabama, from Flags of the States and Territories," printed in 1888 by Allen & Ginter. It's a cigarette card, a tiny colored pencil drawing reproduced as a print. It's oddly charming, but the colors are… loud. What’s your take on it? Curator: Loud indeed, yet captivating, isn't it? It transports me – maybe because the garish colors, somehow muted by time, evoke faded memories, almost dreams. It is so very indicative of that 19th century American confidence, brandishing its emblems amidst burgeoning industry and romanticised landscapes. It’s a tiny, potent visual artifact, reflecting vast ambitions. See how the paddle steamer is juxtaposed with the flag itself, a quaint echo of nation-building in picture form. But how do we reconcile its quaint appearance with its complex history, bearing in mind the loaded connotations of “Here we rest”? Editor: That’s a loaded question in itself, and honestly, I didn't catch that nuance. “Here We Rest” seems… ironic considering Alabama’s history. The confidence clashes horribly with that slogan now, and within that historical context. It throws the landscape into another perspective as well – how did it really rest? Curator: Exactly! It's easy to view it solely through the lens of pretty images, the boat so calm. It invites you to explore further; question, probe, reinterpret. That eagle screams of both freedom and... dominion, wouldn't you say? It’s not resting, that is clear. And those colors... I always wonder at the choices! Do you find the blue to be especially bold? Editor: It is a striking contrast, drawing your eyes upwards but now knowing all this information I find my eyes dart back to that steam boat below and now consider where it journeys and its impact upon arrival. I definitely have a richer interpretation. Curator: Exactly – the visual journey reflecting a journey of understanding. How splendid!