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

Curator: What an odd duck of a historical document. We're looking at a piece from 1888 titled "A Short History: General Ulysses S. Grant." It was produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co., as a promotional item for their tobacco products. Editor: "Odd duck" indeed! My first impression is a slightly disjointed collage—the General's portrait floating above this almost cartoonish depiction of battle. It’s all so…packaged. I guess you could call it ‘historical pastiche.' Curator: The disjointed quality is certainly interesting. Structurally, we have a juxtaposition of Grant's formal portrait with the more dynamic, genre-painting vignettes of battle. And the integration with decorative elements… Editor: Exactly! It makes you wonder, what’s the connection being drawn here? "Buy our tobacco, be a hero like Grant?" It's a bizarre sales pitch, really. The romance of battle sold alongside a bit of chewing tobacco! The audacity. Curator: The print medium is important too. These were mass-produced. The lithography flattens the imagery, removing nuance and artistic depth in favor of bold, accessible symbolism. Editor: And the symbolism, or attempt at it, feels heavy-handed. Grant’s stern gaze juxtaposed against the stylized American flag and the mini-dramas of war…It all feels designed to evoke a certain patriotic fervor, doesn’t it? Although seeing that one soldier run away is kind of comical. Curator: Absolutely, but the intent here is clear. By associating their brand with Grant, they're essentially leveraging his historical prestige. It's a carefully constructed narrative intended to equate the consumer with notions of strength and historical significance. Editor: I wonder if folks were more susceptible back then, less cynical about marketing tactics. Still, something about it amuses and disturbs me, you know? History distilled down to a collectible card that’s slipped in with a tin of chewing tobacco… Curator: Well, such popular ephemera provides invaluable insight into the mindset and cultural values of that time. And what does this bizarre combination suggest? Perhaps a deep yearning to claim a heroic lineage? Or the simple power of celebrity to move product? Editor: Right! Though, on second thought, there is something about those vibrant blues and reds set against that aged parchment backdrop that I am quite drawn to! Curator: A fitting tribute to this piece from another moment, which remains quite vibrant with the questions it still sparks to this day.