Redford W. Sargent, from the Sea Captains series (N127) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1887

This promotional card by W. Duke, Sons & Co. presents Redford W. Sargent, a sea captain, before his ship in open waters. The vessel behind him, a symbol of adventure and commerce, recalls a long tradition of maritime imagery. Consider, for example, the ship as a 'vessel'—an ancient metaphor for the soul's journey or the ship of state navigating turbulent political waters. The ship and the sea are potent symbols of man's relationship with nature, but they are also tied to our psychological depths, embodying both the conscious and unconscious mind. Like the sea, our psyches can be unpredictable. Even the distant, smaller ship with the striped flag, potentially signaling distress, can trigger a sense of unease. These symbols aren't merely decorative; they engage with our deepest fears and aspirations, creating a powerful connection to something larger than ourselves. The sea has called to us for millennia, promising both danger and discovery.