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

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century American ephemera with *Oregon, from Flags of the States and TerritoriesN11)*, a tiny yet captivating commercial color lithograph by Allen & Ginter 1888. This-sized card (just 2 3/4 1 1/2 inches) was part of a popular series into cigarette packs, showcasing state and territorial flags to captivate collectors and promote the brand. Oregon, admitted to the Union in 1859 as the 33rd state, is proudly represented here, evoking the era's westward expansion and growing national pride amid industrialization. Crafted via chromolithography—a pioneering color printing technique that layered vibrant hues through multiple lithographic stones—this card exemplifies the artistry of commercial design. Allen & Ginter, pioneers in the trade card phenomenon, transformed everyday tobacco products into educational collectibles, blending patriotism with marketing savvy. Its bold colors and precise details made these "cigarette cards" highly sought after, fostering a collecting craze that preserved snippets of American history. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, this ephemera highlights how everyday objects documented cultural identity. A delightful glimpse into Gilded Age nostalgia, it reminds us how flags symbolized unity in a diversifying nation.

About the Artist

Allen & Ginter

Allen & Ginter, the pioneering American tobacco firm based in Richmond, Virginia, emerged around 1880 from the partnership of John F. Allen and Lewis Ginter, evolving from Allen's earlier John F. Allen & Company. Allen retired in 1882, succeeded by John Pope, yet the brand endured under Ginter's leadership, employing over 1,100 workers—mostly women—for hand-rolled cigarettes by 1886. Ginter, a Dut...