Beale, Harvard University, from the College Football Stars series (N302) for Mayo's Cut Plug Tobacco 1894

This trade card, published by P.H. Mayo & Brother, depicts Beale of Harvard University. Symbols of identity are on full display here: the letter 'H' emblazoned across his chest. This simple yet powerful emblem speaks volumes about belonging, achievement, and the potent blend of individual and collective identity. Consider the evolution of such symbols. Long before modern sports, heraldic crests served a similar function. In medieval Europe, families and institutions used coats of arms to signify lineage, allegiance, and status. The 'H' on Beale’s chest, in this context, is no different, distilled from heraldry. These symbols evoke profound psychological responses. They tap into our innate need for community, our desire to belong to something larger than ourselves. Note how this sense of belonging is traded for Mayo's Cut Plug Tobacco. As symbols evolve through time, the feelings they stir within us remain potent.