Page McCarty, The Richmond Daily Times, from the American Editors series (N1) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1887

Editor: So, this lithograph is titled "Page McCarty, The Richmond Daily Times" from 1887, part of the "American Editors" series. It's small, almost like a trading card, and something about the detail combined with the miniature scale gives it this feeling of preserved history. What catches your eye? Curator: It’s more than just preserved history; it's curated identity. Notice how McCarty is presented. His assured gaze, the meticulous detail in his mustache and attire - these are all visual cues designed to project authority and integrity. What symbols can we decode here? Editor: Well, his clothes, his tie, and maybe the newspaper itself visible behind him seem to be saying that he's a professional and knowledgeable man. Curator: Precisely. The newspaper backdrop acts as a halo, associating him with truth and information dissemination. But let’s consider the timing: 1887. What might it mean to present a figure of public trust during that era, especially in Richmond, Virginia, decades after the Civil War? What connotations would a Richmond newspaper have carried then? Editor: Hmmm, that’s interesting! Perhaps a symbol of reconciliation, or maybe even continued power structures? This card isn't just a portrait, it seems more like an intentional piece of propaganda! Curator: Propaganda might be too strong a word, but it's definitely carefully constructed to convey a message, to establish a certain cultural narrative. Editor: I never considered how loaded even something as simple-seeming as a portrait could be with symbolism. It makes me want to research everything! Curator: That desire to understand the stories behind the images is exactly what makes art history so compelling. Keep digging and the meaning will come to you.