Wade Hampton, from the Great Generals series (N15) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1888

This small card, made by Allen & Ginter for their cigarette brand, depicts Wade Hampton, set against a backdrop of ruined buildings. The star on his collar is a potent symbol, less about simple rank, more about aspiration and a sense of higher calling. Consider how the star motif echoes through time, from ancient celestial maps guiding sailors to the heraldry of noble houses. Think of the five-pointed star, a symbol of the goddess Ishtar, a divine figure from the ancient Near East. The star carries a deeply rooted, almost primal, appeal. The ruins behind Hampton evoke a sense of loss. This connects to a universal experience of collective trauma and the desire for renewal. Through the ages, the star persists as an emblem of hope amidst chaos, an emotional anchor, subconsciously reminding us of light in the darkness. This reflects the cyclical nature of human experience; destruction and rebirth, despair and hope, all playing out on the stage of history.