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

This is a lithograph of the Hawaiian Islands flag, made for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes, part of the series "Flags of All Nations." The flag dominates the composition, its strong horizontal bands of red, white, and blue creating a striking visual rhythm. The flag is set against a mottled grey sky, filled with small dots of color, suggesting both atmosphere and a certain abstraction. Three birds are in the foreground; these introduce a sense of depth. The flag's design incorporates the Union Jack, visually connecting the Hawaiian Islands to British colonial history. This superimposition of national symbols creates a tension, reflecting the complex interplay of power and identity. The material quality of the lithograph, with its flat planes of color and graphic precision, underscores the commercial context of its production. Ultimately, this image presents the flag not just as a symbol of national identity, but as a signifier of broader cultural and political negotiations. It reminds us that even seemingly straightforward emblems are enmeshed in layers of historical meaning.