A Short History: General John Logan, from the Histories of Generals series (N114) issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Smoking and Chewing Tobacco 1888

This small chromolithograph was created by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Smoking and Chewing Tobacco. It's part of a series called "Histories of Generals." During the late 19th century, such cards were strategically inserted into tobacco packaging, capitalizing on a burgeoning culture of celebrity and collecting. This card features General John Logan, a Union Army general, and later a U.S. Senator. The visual language of the card merges military prowess with national pride; the stern portrait of Logan is juxtaposed with an eagle perched above an American flag. The use of Logan's image highlights a specific narrative of American heroism, deeply embedded in the Civil War's legacy and Reconstruction era politics. These cards served as tools of cultural reinforcement, subtly influencing perceptions of historical figures like Logan. The commercial nature of the card reminds us how intertwined historical narratives are with the promotion of consumer culture.