Arthur P. Gorman of Maryland, from the Presidential Possibilities series (N124) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1888

This card, printed around 1888 by W. Duke Sons & Co., presents Arthur P. Gorman as one of the ‘Presidential Possibilities’ to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco. The composition is dominated by Gorman’s head and shoulders, set against a stippled blue backdrop that suggests a dreamy, idealized space. Note how the crisp lines of Gorman’s suit contrast with the softer rendering of his face and the hazy background, creating a visual hierarchy that draws the eye to his visage. Consider the semiotic function of the portrait within its cultural context. The chromolithographic technique allows for mass production and distribution, effectively turning political figures into commodities. The textual component, combined with the portrait, presents a narrative – Gorman's potential presidency. Yet, it is framed within the logic of consumer culture where political aspirations are mediated through tobacco products. The image's formal qualities, therefore, function as a conduit, linking political ambition with capitalist enterprise. This commercial card challenges traditional portraiture and offers a lens through which to view the intersection of politics, consumerism, and representation in late 19th-century America.