Worth Winning, from the Jokes series (N87) for Duke brand cigarettes 1890

This small card, "Worth Winning," was one of a series of "jokes" produced as promotional material for Duke brand cigarettes in the late nineteenth century. The card depicts two men at a card table, one looking slyly confident, the other peeking over his shoulder with a look of worry. Commercial imagery like this offers us a fascinating glimpse into the social values of its time. Produced in the United States, this card reflects the rise of consumer culture and the use of advertising to shape public opinion. Cigarette cards like this one became a collectible commodity. The imagery often reinforced prevailing social norms and aspirations, particularly around masculinity and success. The scene of gambling, with its implications of risk and reward, speaks to the economic ambitions of the era. To understand this image fully, we need to explore the history of advertising, the tobacco industry, and the cultural values of the Gilded Age. Research into these areas helps us to understand the complex interplay between art, commerce, and society.