Philadelphia, U.S.N., from the Famous Ships series (N50) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1895

This small card, from a series by Allen & Ginter, features the U.S.N. Philadelphia, rendered in monochrome. A symbol of American naval power, it's captured at a moment of technological transition. The ship itself, with its mix of sail rigging and steam funnels, is an emblem of human ambition, evoking the winged figures of ancient Greece, messengers between the earthly and divine. Like Hermes, a symbol of speed and power. This ship merges technology with aspiration. Consider the flag, not unlike the banners of medieval knights, and how it stirs feelings of collective identity, loyalty, and pride, not just in nation, but in an idea. This card is more than just an image, it's a distillation of cultural dreams. A dream of progress, of mastering nature, and of belonging to something larger than oneself.