Chinese Residence, from the Habitations of Man series (N113) issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Smoking and Chewing Tobacco 1890

This vibrant chromolithograph, part of the "Habitations of Man" series, was created by the Giles Company around 1888, and issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote tobacco. The printmaking technique used here is chromolithography, a process that relies on the precise layering of multiple colors, each applied using a separate lithographic stone. The striking colors and fine details evoke the exoticism of the depicted 'Chinese Residence'. But it’s important to remember that the actual making of this image was far from exotic. The Giles Company factory would have been a bustling industrial environment, filled with workers operating printing presses to churn out these collectible cards en masse. These cards were included in packages of Duke's tobacco products, incentivizing repeat purchases and fostering brand loyalty. It is a tangible reminder of how cultural imagery can be intertwined with commerce, mass production, and global marketing strategies.