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

This small chromolithograph of Rhode Island was produced by Allen & Ginter Cigarettes, of Richmond, Virginia as part of a series of collectible cards. What’s striking is how a commercial product uses the imagery of statehood to increase its appeal. The flag of Rhode Island is prominently displayed, complete with its motto "Hope" and a central anchor. Below, a tranquil coastal scene unfolds, seemingly untouched by industrialization. The card conjures a romantic vision of "Little Rhody," linking it to notions of stability and tradition, but it also obscures the realities of the state's rapid industrial growth in the late 19th century and the social tensions that came with it. To fully understand this image, we must look to archives of advertising history and business records to investigate the relationship between commerce, identity, and the construction of cultural values in America.