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

This small chromolithograph card, made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. around the turn of the century, presents Governor Stevenson of the Idaho Territory as part of their "Governors, Arms, Etc." series. Notice how the card is structured into three distinct panels. On the left is a symbolic representation of the Idaho Territory's coat of arms. To the right, we find an idealized landscape featuring the Shoshone Falls. In the center, the portrait of Governor Stevenson is rendered with careful detail, set against a neutral background. The composition organizes distinct visual elements to convey status, place and identity. But the card is also an advertisement for "Honest Long Cut" tobacco. The composition is therefore structured to convey social and political symbolism with commercial marketing. Consider how this merging of governance, natural beauty, and consumerism offers a glimpse into the complex cultural values of the late 19th century. The card operates within a system where political identity, regional pride, and commercial interests are intrinsically linked.