Governor Ross, New Mexico Territory, from "Governors, Arms, Etc." series (N133-1), issued by Duke Sons & Co. 1885 - 1892

This chromolithograph of Governor Ross of the New Mexico Territory was produced by W. Duke and Sons & Co. as part of their "Governors, Arms, Etc." series, dating back to between 1870 and 1920. These cards were originally included in packages of tobacco products. The card offers a window into the social and political landscape of the late 19th century American West. Ross’s profile is centered between an image of the New Mexico coat of arms and the San Miguel Church, juxtaposed with a sunset scene of a lone rider on the prairie signaling with a cautionary flag. This combination encapsulates themes of governance, religion, and the romanticized vision of expansion and conquest. The inclusion of these images, particularly within a commercial product like tobacco, speaks volumes about the era’s values and the construction of identity, both personal and regional. The legacy of colonialism, the representation of the Church, and the fraught history of Native American relations are all silently present.