Master George Elliott, from the Actresses series (N245) issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1890

This photograph, produced by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes, features Master George Elliott, an actor, in costume. The walking stick he holds is a potent symbol. More than a mere prop, it represents power and authority. In ancient times, scepters were held by kings, and staffs by religious leaders, each denoting a divine right to rule. Consider Moses parting the Red Sea with his staff, or the floriated scepters carried by medieval monarchs, symbols of their dominion. Even today, we see echoes of this in military batons or the ceremonial maces carried in academic processions. The stick connects us to humanity's primitive past, of wandering tribes and nomadic shepherds. It serves as a testament to the enduring human need for symbols that anchor our sense of control. It appears and reappears across epochs, constantly adapting but never losing its core association with leadership. This visual echo resonates deeply, engaging our collective memory and reminding us of the timeless pursuit of power.