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

This is a collectible card of Iowa, one of a series made by Allen & Ginter Cigarettes in the late 19th century. These cards exemplify the commercialization of patriotism in a rapidly industrializing America. The image, with its proud soldier and bold pronouncements about liberty, taps into the visual language of nation-building and evokes the iconography of power. The placement of the Iowa State Capitol building in the background is no accident. It firmly roots the image in a specific place and underscores the power of state institutions. Meanwhile, the flag itself can be understood as a symbol that unites people around shared values, while simultaneously excluding others. To fully understand the complex layers of this image, historians might consider studying marketing and advertising from the period, exploring the role of tobacco companies, or researching how patriotic sentiment was mobilized during the era. This way, we can better understand the place of the artwork within its specific context.