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

This small card was printed by Allen & Ginter of Richmond, Virginia, for insertion in their cigarette packs. The image makes a cultural reference to the state of Kentucky. The flag pictured here is designed with a vignette showing two men shaking hands, supposedly to represent the unity of Kentucky. Below, there's an image with a horse head and an ambiguous river scene. The slogan reads 'United we stand, divided we fall'. This message has taken on different political meanings over time. These images are both idealized and commercialized. The flag becomes a symbol of consumption, not just of state identity. The commercial images and slogans, and even the choice of Kentucky as a subject, all reflect a particular set of cultural values in post-Reconstruction America. Understanding these associations requires an art historian to investigate the context of mass media and advertising. It also involves looking at the history of Virginia and the Allen & Ginter company. The meaning of the image shifts as the social context changes.