Number 3, Transfixed Cards, from the Tricks with Cards series (N138) issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1887

This chromolithograph, "Number 3, Transfixed Cards," was printed around 1888 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as a promotional item for Honest Long Cut Tobacco. More than just an advertisement, this card participates in the popular culture of its time. Consider the late 19th century, a period fascinated by stage magic and illusions, a form of entertainment that provided wonder in an era of rapid industrial change. The card depicts a sword piercing a cascade of playing cards, advertising the secrets of a trick to its audience. Tobacco companies often included collectible cards with their products; This reflects the commercial strategies of the Gilded Age. To fully appreciate this artwork, research into the history of advertising, popular entertainment, and the tobacco industry would be invaluable. Only by understanding its place in the wider culture can we see what this seemingly simple image really meant.