Life of John Henry Brodribb Irving, from the Histories of Poor Boys and Famous People series of booklets (N79) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888

This small printed booklet, made around 1900 by W. Duke, Sons & Co., is from a series called "Histories of Poor Boys and Famous People," slipped into packs of Duke brand cigarettes. The chromolithographic printing process allowed for mass production of these vividly colored cards. The booklet’s material construction—cheap paper stock, mass-produced imagery, and brief text—speaks volumes about its intended purpose: disposable advertising. Chromolithography, which uses multiple lithographic stones to apply different colors, simulates the effect of a hand-painted image, creating an attractive collectable. This one promotes the rags-to-riches story of actor Henry Irving. These cards reflect the rise of consumer culture and the power of celebrity. By associating their brand with success and aspiration, Duke aimed to cultivate a loyal customer base. Consider the labor that went into creating these objects, from the factory workers churning out cigarettes to the artists and printers producing these little paper dreams. It reminds us that even the humblest materials can be powerful cultural artifacts.