Pocket Watch, from the Miniature Novelties series (N120) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1891

W. Duke, Sons & Co. produced this promotional card for Honest Long Cut Tobacco as part of their Miniature Novelties series. These cards were popular marketing tools during a time of industrial expansion and burgeoning consumer culture. This card offers us a window into the idealized images of women circulating at the turn of the century. We see portraits of young, white women framed by flowers. Their demure gazes and fashionable attire align with the era’s expectations for women. Yet, the presence of a pocket watch alongside these portraits hints at the changing roles of women in society. As women entered the workforce and navigated new social spheres, time became a valuable commodity, suggesting a subtle commentary on women's evolving relationship to labor and leisure. These cards not only promoted tobacco, but also perpetuated certain standards of beauty and gender roles. Take a moment to consider how these images may have shaped the perceptions and aspirations of women at the time.