William McKinley Jr. of Ohio, from the Presidential Possibilities series (N124) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1888

William McKinley Jr. of Ohio is a promotional card from the "Presidential Possibilities" series, created by W. Duke, Sons & Co. around the turn of the century, to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco. These cards reflect the cultural and political landscape of the late 19th century, a time marked by industrial expansion, political reform, and growing American imperialism. McKinley, who would become president in 1897, is presented here as a potential leader, embodying the era's aspirations and anxieties. Tobacco cards like this one offer a glimpse into how political figures were marketed and consumed by the public. They were designed to be collected, traded, and admired, serving as miniature portraits that circulated widely. Consider the emotional investment of collecting these cards, as they shaped perceptions and contributed to the cult of personality surrounding political figures like McKinley.