John A. Sleicher, Albany Evening Journal, from the American Editors series (N1) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1887

This late nineteenth-century lithograph by Allen & Ginter depicts John A. Sleicher, editor of the Albany Evening Journal. Note how his face is framed by the very symbol of his profession: the newspaper itself. The image is not merely a portrait, it is an icon laden with the cultural weight of the press. Sleicher’s assertive mustache and spectacles speak to the era's perception of the intellectual, echoing the beards of philosophers and prophets of old. This deliberate visual language connects him to a lineage of thinkers. Consider, too, how the printed word, here embodied by the newspaper, has shifted from sacred script to mass media. The psychological impact remains profound. Whether illuminated manuscripts or daily news, these symbols engage our collective memory and subconscious desires for knowledge and understanding. This image serves as a potent reminder of the enduring power of the press.