A Short History of Admiral Semmes, from the Histories of Generals series (N114) issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Smoking and Chewing Tobacco 1888

This small chromolithograph was made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. around the turn of the century as an advertisement for tobacco. It depicts Admiral Raphael Semmes, a controversial figure for his role as a Confederate officer during the American Civil War. The card is part of a series called "Histories of Generals," but the inclusion of a Confederate admiral points to the complex and contested narratives of American history. The choice of Semmes as a subject reflects the Lost Cause ideology, which romanticized the Confederacy and downplayed the role of slavery in the Civil War. Consider how the image presents Semmes: a portrait of a distinguished, respectable man, juxtaposed with scenes of naval activity. By distributing these cards with tobacco products, Duke, Sons & Co. subtly promoted a particular vision of American history, one that resonated with certain segments of the population, especially in the South. These cards served not only to sell tobacco but also to reinforce cultural and political beliefs.