Governor Lowry, Mississippi, from "Governors, Arms, Etc." series (N133-2), issued by Duke Sons & Co. 1885 - 1892

This unfolded cigarette card, made by W. Duke, Sons & Co., presents us with a tripartite vision, laden with symbols of governance, industry, and conflict. To the left, the eagle, clutching arrows and an olive branch, surmounts a Mississippi River steamboat; to the right, the U.S. Naval Admiral's flag flies above cotton pickers. The eagle, a motif reaching back to ancient Rome, signifies power and dominion, but here, it is juxtaposed with the means of river commerce. Consider how the eagle has appeared across millennia, from imperial standards to national emblems. The eagle on this card, however, is also a potent symbol of American identity, entwined with ideals of freedom and expansion. The scene of cotton pickers presents another potent symbol of its own, laden with the weight of America’s past. These carefully chosen symbols tap into collective memories, evoking emotions tied to identity, progress, and the subconscious echoes of history. Such imagery serves as a powerful force, engaging viewers on a profound, psychological level. The symbolic weight of the eagle, riverboat, naval flag, and cotton pickers has not diminished over time. These are cyclical motifs—ever resurfacing, evolving, and acquiring new layers of meaning in the grand theater of history.