Richard Bussius, from the Sea Captains series (N127) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1887

This printed card, made by W. Duke, Sons & Co., presents Richard Bussius, a sea captain, and was issued to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco. Note the stars adorning Bussius’s lapel and cap, a motif echoing across centuries, from ancient celestial maps to military insignia. The star, a symbol of guidance and aspiration, finds its roots in humanity’s earliest attempts to chart the unknown. Yet here, these once-celestial symbols are repurposed, democratized, adorning the uniform of a captain—a subtle nod to the burgeoning age of industry and global trade. Consider, too, the sea itself, that vast, unknowable expanse. Throughout history, it has been a potent symbol of both opportunity and peril, a mirror reflecting our deepest desires and fears. The image engages the viewer on a deeply subconscious level, evoking collective memories of maritime adventures and the boundless possibilities of human endeavor. It speaks to the cyclical nature of symbols, their capacity to resurface, evolve, and acquire new meanings within different cultural contexts.