Ireland, from Flags of All Nations, Series 1 (N9) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1887

This is a chromolithograph card of “Ireland, from Flags of All Nations,” created by Allen & Ginter. The composition centers on a flag, densely layered with symbols and framed by a decorative border. Note how the artist uses the flag as a field for cultural emblems. The green ground, overlaid with a harp, becomes a signifier of national identity. Further layers are added through the shamrocks that border the flag. These details function semiotically, creating a dense network of visual references. The card’s design uses a calculated structure to create meaning. It's not just a picture of a flag but a compact system of signs, each element contributing to the construction of a national image. The flag, therefore, operates as a structured field of cultural expression. This small card opens up a broad area for cultural and artistic interpretation.