A Test Case, from the Jokes series (N87) for Duke brand cigarettes 1890

"A Test Case" is a trade card from the "Jokes" series created by W. Duke, Sons & Co. in 1890 to advertise Duke brand cigarettes. The card depicts a woman in a white dress pouring a bottle labeled "ACID" into a small container. The caption reads "A TEST CASE Charlie only gets $7.00 per week (!)". This humorous illustration, part of a larger series of trade cards, was likely used to promote the quality of Duke cigarettes and their value for the price. The card is a prime example of late 19th-century advertising and its use of humor to appeal to consumers.