"What a find! Six blades & bran' new!," from the Terrors of America set (N136) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1888 - 1889

This is “What a find! Six blades & bran’ new!” a chromolithograph card produced around 1888 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. The design is dominated by a central rectangular frame, with a young boy displaying his 'find' in a composition that's both carefully structured and playfully dynamic. The formal composition, framed by ornate, scrolling borders and interspersed with stylized floral motifs, immediately draws the eye. The artist employs a limited palette, dominated by pastel hues, which evoke a sense of nostalgia. Note the boy's stance, slightly off-center, and the deliberate placement of his figure within the frame. The contrast between the flat, decorative elements and the attempt at three-dimensionality in the boy’s figure creates a tension, reflective of the era's transitional aesthetics. The phrase "What a find!" suggests a narrative, inviting viewers to construct their own interpretations, and thus destabilizing the artwork's meaning. This card functions as more than mere advertising; it's a cultural artifact that encapsulates the values, aesthetics, and social dynamics of its time.