Oboe, from the Musical Instruments series (N82) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888

This "Oboe" card, part of the Musical Instruments series, was printed by W. Duke, Sons & Co., sometime between 1870 and 1920, and was included in packages of Duke brand cigarettes. Lithography, the process by which this card was made, enabled the mass production of images and text, fueling the advertising industry. Here, a woman is depicted holding an oboe, an instrument made from wood, metal, and cork, materials sourced from around the globe and meticulously crafted. While the oboe itself embodies skilled artistry, the card represents a different kind of production—one driven by industrial printing and consumer culture. The card's slick surface and vibrant colors, achieved through advanced printing techniques, speak to the power of mass media in shaping perceptions. The image also reflects the cultural associations of music with sophistication and leisure, qualities that the cigarette brand sought to emulate. Ultimately, this small card reveals the complex interplay between art, industry, and consumerism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, blurring the lines between fine art and everyday ephemera.