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

This small lithograph from Allen & Ginter's "City Flags" series was once included in packs of their cigarettes. It depicts the flag of Lyon, France, rendered with vibrant color and detail. These cards, produced during the late 19th century, reflected a period of burgeoning global interest and imperial expansion. This was a time when symbols of national identity and civic pride were potent emblems. The flag itself, bisected into red and blue, features the symbols of the French monarchy. A golden lion, a symbol of strength and courage, brandishes a sword. Below it is a fountain with nude figures in a classical style. The City Flags series, like many commercial sets of the time, offered a romanticized and often simplified view of the world. The imagery evokes a sense of European sophistication and grandeur, appealing to the aspirational desires of the American consumer. The card’s small size belies the complex layers of identity and power it represents, inviting us to consider the relationship between commerce, culture, and the construction of national narratives.