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

This small chromolithograph, Wisconsin, from Flags of the States and Territories, was created by Allen & Ginter Cigarettes as a collectible item. These cards, distributed with cigarette packs, offer a window into the late 19th century's vision of the United States. The flag of Wisconsin is central here, flanked by a sailor and a miner, representative of the state’s labor force. Above them, the state motto "Forward" and the national motto "E Pluribus Unum". Below, a scene of industry and agriculture is depicted. This tableau encapsulates the aspirations of progress and unity that defined the American project after the Civil War. Yet, this image also reflects a selective narrative, obscuring the experiences of marginalized communities and the environmental costs of industrial growth. Consider the complicated, intertwined histories of nationhood, labor, and the land, and how promotional images such as this one have shaped our understanding of the past.