Four Diamonds, from the Playing Cards series (N84) to promote Turkish Cross-Cut Cigarettes for W. Duke, Sons and Co. 1888

Editor: This is "Four Diamonds" from the Playing Cards series, created around 1888 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. It seems to be a print, a promotional item for Turkish Cross-Cut Cigarettes. I find it so minimal. What can you tell me about it? Curator: I see a convergence of consumer culture and artistic production. Consider the paper stock; the very substrate of this “art” object served as a carrier for advertising. It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about the industrial processes that made mass production possible and the system of distribution. Editor: So, you're saying it's less about the image itself and more about how it was made and its purpose? Curator: Exactly. The graphic quality aligns with printmaking trends borrowed from *ukiyo-e*. How does the use of color impact how consumers see the product, especially when associated with Japanese art? Think about how it connects to global markets, tobacco production, advertising, and distribution. What needs were these prints fulfilling? Editor: So it highlights the industrialization of leisure. It’s interesting how this little card connects all these complex global networks! Curator: Precisely. Thinking about such objects reveals more than we realize about artistic conventions, power, and capital. Editor: I never thought about a simple playing card in that light before. Now I have a whole new appreciation for the materials and process!