President Cleveland, United States, from the Rulers, Flags, and Coats of Arms series (N126-1) issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. 1888

This small card, made around 1890 by W. Duke, Sons & Co., was one of a series of collectible cards inserted in packages of tobacco. It depicts President Grover Cleveland alongside the US flag and coat of arms. Tobacco cards like these were early examples of advertising memorabilia. They became hugely popular, driving sales and brand loyalty. This card presents Cleveland as a symbol of American strength and integrity. Note the use of national emblems to associate the President and the ‘Honest Long Cut’ brand with patriotism and traditional values. What’s fascinating here is to consider the social function of these images. They were designed to circulate widely, shaping public opinion and creating a shared sense of national identity. To understand these images better, historians look at production and distribution methods, advertising strategies, and the cultural values they promoted. The meaning of art is always bound up with its social and institutional context.