Steamship Hekla, Thingvalla Line, from the Ocean and River Steamers series (N83) for Duke brand cigarettes 1887

This is a cigarette card from the Ocean and River Steamers series, created by W. Duke, Sons & Co. Printed between 1888 and 1890, this card depicts the Steamship Hekla of the Thingvalla Line. These cards were designed to stiffen cigarette packs and entice consumers, feeding into the era’s culture of collecting. The imagery promotes both maritime travel and a romantic vision of women. The juxtaposition of the ship with the portrait of a woman situates her as both an object of beauty and a symbol of the journey the ship would undertake. It’s interesting to consider how these images perpetuated certain ideals of beauty and femininity, while also hinting at the larger world of travel and commerce. These cigarette cards, while small, offer a glimpse into the complex interplay of identity, consumerism, and cultural values of the late 19th century.