President Caamono of Ecuador, from the Rulers, Flags, and Coats of Arms series (N126-1) issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. 1888

This is "President Caamaño of Ecuador," a lithograph from the Rulers, Flags, and Coats of Arms series, printed by W. Duke, Sons & Co. around the turn of the 20th century. These cards, distributed with tobacco products, reflect the burgeoning American interest in global politics and trade. Sandwiched between Ecuador’s coat of arms and its national flag, we see a portrait of President José Plácido Caamaño. As with many such series, this card flattens the complexities of Ecuadorian history into easily digestible images, yet the visual shorthand is revealing. The coat of arms, featuring the Andean mountains, connects Caamaño to a specific geography and a longer history of indigenous presence. The cactus, a symbol of resilience, hints at the economic exploitation and resource extraction that underpinned the relationship between the U.S. and Latin America.