A Short History of General John Bankhead Magruder, from the Histories of Generals series of booklets (N78) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888

Editor: Here we have "A Short History of General John Bankhead Magruder," a colored pencil print from 1888, made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. It's so...crisp! Like looking into a slightly faded, idealized past. What’s your take? Curator: Crisp indeed, almost confectionary in its delicate lines and gentle hues. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it, about the stories we tell ourselves? How history gets packaged and sold, alongside, say, cigarettes. Did smoking General Magruder brand make one braver? Did it taste of victory? Look closely, Editor, at the title font: isn't it trying just a bit too hard? Editor: Oh, totally over-the-top font. Makes you almost miss Comic Sans! It *is* fascinating how image and narrative were deployed to sell completely unrelated goods. Were these "histories" considered accurate? Curator: Accuracy? In advertising? Perish the thought! Consider this more a form of myth-making, crafting little legends. W. Duke & Sons are selling you a particular vision of America, and a comforting certainty of past heroisms for present anxieties. This general becomes a brand, a consumable identity. Almost sad, isn’t it? Editor: A bit. But it makes me wonder what products today are doing the same thing. It's less overt now, maybe? Curator: Oh, but the siren song is still there, Editor. It merely changed its tune! Perhaps now we buy identities packaged with "experiences" instead. Look around, the echoes are everywhere. It all makes one think more critically, right? Editor: Definitely given me a lot to consider. And I need a smoke...just kidding! Thanks so much for your time!