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

This is a chromolithograph of Arizona, made by Allen & Ginter of Richmond, as part of a series of collectible cards included in cigarette packs. These cards were produced at a time of rapid industrial expansion and westward migration in the United States. The image presents a romanticized view of Arizona as a territory ripe for resource extraction and economic development. Notice how the flag features a lone prospector, while the landscape below showcases factories belching smoke. This juxtaposition encapsulates the complex relationship between man, land and industrial progress. The Allen & Ginter company represents a specific moment in the history of consumer culture, where advertising and collecting intersected. By studying these cards alongside other historical documents such as census records, company reports, and travel narratives, we can gain a deeper understanding of how the American West was imagined and promoted during this transformative period.