Flags of All Nations, Cram's Atlas

This vibrant chromolithograph plate from Cram's Unrivaled Family Atlas presents a fascinating window into the late Victorian world, displaying sixty flags of nations, empires, and territories as Americans understood them in the late 1880s. The systematic grid arrangement showcases everything from the familiar Stars and Stripes to the exotic standards of Siam, Persia, and the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii before American annexation). The plate captures a world on the cusp of transformation: the Emperor of Austria's standard, the German Empire's eagle, and colonial holdings from Cochin China to the Ionian Islands all appear alongside the flags of young South American republics. For collectors, this represents both a handsome decorative piece and a genuine historical document of a vanished geopolitical order. Produced by Chicago's George F. Cram Company during America's Gilded Age, this atlas plate exemplifies the era's appetite for world knowledge and the technical excellence of American chromolithography. A distinguished addition to any collection of Victorian ephemera, cartographic materials, or vexillological reference. Size: 12.75" x 10.0" Condition: Very Good, Age-appropriate wear. Paper toning in accordance with the print's age. Slight paper loss in lower right corner. Marks/stains as per photo. Wear around the edges and minor paper loss might be present in some prints. Please refer to each print's image to get a better understanding of the condition.