Statue of Liberty, New York, from the Transparencies series (N137) issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1884 - 1890

This late nineteenth-century card, produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote tobacco, presents the Statue of Liberty, an icon of American ideals. Here, the torch held aloft is the dominant symbol. It evokes enlightenment and hope, reminiscent of classical depictions of goddesses bearing flames. Think of Hecate, the Greek goddess of crossroads and magic, whose torches illuminate the night. The Statue of Liberty’s torch signals not only freedom but also the promise of a new beginning. This motif of a raised torch has been continuously reinterpreted, its significance shaped by each new era. Our collective memory infuses such symbols with power. They stir subconscious associations, creating a visceral connection across time. What was once a beacon of freedom, gets commercialized. This reminds us of the cyclical nature of symbols: rising, evolving, and reemerging in unexpected forms.