Illinois, from the Industries of States series (N117) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1889

This promotional card for Honest Long Cut Tobacco by Duke Sons & Co. features a personification of Illinois, armed with a sword and shield. She evokes classical goddesses, linking American industry to ancient power and virtue. The sword, a timeless symbol of authority and defense, reappears across cultures, from Roman gladii to medieval broadswords, representing justice and protection. Here, the sword leans on the ground, suggesting a state ready to defend its interests while fostering peace. The shield, emblazoned with an American eagle, is a more overt reference to national identity, echoing the heraldic traditions of Europe but now rooted in American soil. Consider the psychological weight of these symbols. The figure's confident posture and the assertive emblems tap into a deep-seated desire for security and pride, emotions cleverly leveraged to promote a simple tobacco product. This is how images work; they burrow into the collective psyche, shaping perceptions and desires across generations.