Capitol of West Virginia in Charleston, from the General Government and State Capitol Buildings series (N14) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1889

The Capitol of West Virginia in Charleston, a color lithograph, was made for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands. Note the clock tower, a clear declaration that time is of the essence in civic affairs. The clock, since antiquity, has been a symbol of order and precision, a reminder of the importance of punctuality and efficiency in governance. However, consider its predecessors: the sundials and water clocks of ancient civilizations. These earlier timekeeping devices were deeply connected to natural cycles, whereas this clock tower represents a marked shift towards a mechanical, human-controlled sense of time. This transition reflects a broader cultural movement, from a world governed by nature to one increasingly shaped by human endeavor. The emotional impact here is palpable: the architectural symmetry and the clock's precise face inspire a sense of stability and control, yet also hint at the relentless march of time, a tension that perhaps unconsciously drives our desire for enduring institutions. Ultimately, this clock tower is not just a functional object; it is a symbol of a society's aspirations, its understanding of time, and its place in the grand, ever-ticking clock of history.