Created in 1898 during the Spanish-American War. Columbia, a common symbol of the nation, stands between a sailor and a soldier, representing the Navy and Army acting together as the country expanded its reach beyond the continent. Their firm handshake and straightforward posture emphasize unity and duty rather than heroics. Prints like this were widely circulated to reinforce public support for the war and to frame American military service as a shared national responsibility.
Our Country's Flag
This 1861 print comes from the first months of the Civil War, when the Union was trying to hold together. A single soldier stands in front of a camp, gripping the American flag while rifles, tents, and a cannon sit nearby. The flag is shown as something to be protected and defended at a time when the country’s future was unclear. Issued as the cover for a patriotic song dedicated to Abraham Lincoln, representing how popular art was used to build support for the Union and reinforce the flag as a symbol of loyalty and national resolve.