Governor Thayer, Nebraska, from "Governors, Arms, Etc." series (N133-2), issued by Duke Sons & Co. 1885 - 1892

This chromolithograph of "Governor Thayer, Nebraska" was produced around the turn of the 20th century by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as part of a series of collectible cards included in cigarette packs. The card is segmented into three distinct panels, each employing a different mode of representation. The left panel depicts the Coat of Arms of Nebraska, rendered in a heraldic style with strong outlines. The central panel presents a portrait of Governor Thayer himself. In contrast, the right panel shows a scene of cattle raising, with cowboys and livestock set against a vast landscape under a cautionary flag. This panel introduces movement and narrative. The arrangement of the panels invites us to consider the relationships between state symbolism, individual portraiture, and scenes of everyday life and labor. The card functions as a semiotic device, where each image acts as a signifier, contributing to a broader cultural narrative about governance, identity, and the American West. The high production values of the chromolithograph, with its crisp lines and vibrant colors, underscore the commercial intentions of Duke, Sons & Co., as it seeks to associate its brand with images of authority and progress.