Life of Ezra Cornell, from the Histories of Poor Boys and Famous People series of booklets (N79) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888

Editor: Here we have "Life of Ezra Cornell," a lithograph print from 1888, part of a series made for Duke brand cigarettes. I find the context fascinating – an advertisement employing a portrait to elevate its product. What’s your take? Curator: It’s interesting to consider the labor and material involved in producing such ephemera. The lithographic process itself, requiring skilled artisans and specialized materials, stands in stark contrast to the transient nature of the object as a cigarette card. Consider also the exploitation inherent in tobacco production at the time. Editor: So, you're less focused on Cornell's portrait and more on the systems of production and consumption surrounding it? Curator: Precisely. The portrait itself is almost secondary. My focus shifts to the process: the types of paper, the inks, the printing presses. How does mass production change the perception of portraits as individualized works of art? Editor: That's a different way of looking at it. It never occurred to me to think of the laborers, or the supply chains behind the product being advertised! Curator: The materiality informs the meaning. These cards weren't just about Cornell; they were about Duke's brand, its appeal to a growing consumer market, and the larger socio-economic forces at play. The imagery reinforces specific class aspirations accessible via this widely available consumer item. How do the means of production, then, influence the art? Editor: I guess it encourages us to rethink the value and purpose behind seemingly simple artworks. It's about so much more than just the image. Curator: Indeed, by investigating the processes and materials that brought it into being, the 'Life of Ezra Cornell' cigarette card reveals a complex network of labor, capital, and consumption. Editor: Thanks, I learned something new today!