Governor Ames, Massachusetts, from "Governors, Arms, Etc." series (N133-1), issued by Duke Sons & Co. 1885 - 1892

This small chromolithograph was made around 1888 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as part of a series of promotional cards inserted in packages of tobacco. Mass production was key. The image is a composite, bringing together the Massachusetts state seal, a portrait of Governor Ames, and a view of the Boston Common. This assembly line approach to imagery was typical of the period, as new printing technologies allowed for the inexpensive production of colorful images on a massive scale. The card exemplifies the intersection of commerce, politics, and culture. While ostensibly an advertisement for "Honest Long Cut" tobacco, it also promotes a vision of Massachusetts identity, linking it to political leadership and civic pride. The very disposability of these cards—intended to be collected or discarded—belies their power as a vehicle for shaping popular perceptions and values. Examining this card reminds us that even the humblest of objects can reveal larger truths about society.