A Short History of General Henry W. Halleck, from the Histories of Generals series of booklets (N78) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888

Editor: So, this is a printed drawing from 1888 of General Henry W. Halleck, featured in a series of booklets for Duke brand cigarettes. It's rendered with colored pencils and has a caricature-like quality to it. What stands out to you the most about this particular piece? Curator: As a materialist, my initial focus is on the conditions of its production. Consider the purpose of this artwork – it’s essentially advertising. A collectible premium item designed to be included with cigarettes. The consumption of tobacco and the popular fascination with historical figures, like General Halleck, are intrinsically linked. This tells us a great deal about late 19th-century society, doesn't it? How the cultural capital of military history was used to sell commodities? Editor: Absolutely! I hadn't considered that. So, it’s less about honoring the General and more about associating the Duke brand with prestige? Curator: Precisely! Think about the materials too – colored pencils and mass-produced prints. Not exactly high art materials. They speak to accessibility, widespread appeal, and disposability. The value wasn’t intrinsic, it was in its distribution and perceived collectibility as a ‘short history’. Does that reframe the caricature for you? Editor: It does! It's less about genuine artistic expression and more about a calculated marketing strategy, leveraging a historical figure. I never would have guessed. Thanks so much! Curator: It's been a pleasure. Always remember to examine the conditions and context surrounding a piece - the ‘how’ and ‘why’ it was made is as significant as ‘what’ it depicts.