John Alexander Logan, from the Great Generals series (N15) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1888

Curator: Okay, so, looking at this tiny monument, what's your first gut reaction? It’s Allen & Ginter’s rendering of John Alexander Logan, plucked from their "Great Generals" series back in 1888. I mean, what jumps out? Editor: Strength...and maybe a touch of, dare I say, vanity? The composition feels intentionally designed to project an image of unwavering command. Curator: Ha! Vanity! Maybe he loved that 'stache. Tell me more about what gives you that sense of power. Is it just the military getup? Editor: No, it's how every element reinforces the central theme. The sword hint and those rigid shoulder ornaments denote militaristic posture; his penetrating gaze pierces through... then of course the backdrop, an American flag is stylized next to a badge of valor. Curator: I love that you clocked all those details. I mean, it *is* a business card insert. So the visual symbolism needs to do the heavy lifting. This portrait isn’t just a picture, right? Editor: Exactly. Cigarette cards had this powerful ability to cement these people into collective memory. They were tiny portals. You're smoking, you see Logan – a subliminal tie to strength and even... nationalism? Curator: It feels designed to stoke specific emotions for commerce... It would have been so easy for the flag and military regalia to just be background decoration. But there is definitely this push-pull happening here in the construction and depiction of public perception... Editor: It reminds you that symbols are potent little containers. Look how they build meaning over time; this isn't *just* John Logan, the man...he has become all of his awards and achievements. A symbol *of* victory more than just a man *who* has victories. It's almost like they’re selling an idea about themselves with a smoking break, wrapped up in Logan. Curator: Wow. Yeah, he is this brand’s ultimate endorsement… Thanks for bringing that nuance to light. I am going to rethink a few of these in the series, I appreciate your insight on all of it!