Grand Prix, France, from the Holidays series (N80) for Duke brand cigarettes 1890

This small card depicting the Grand Prix, France, was made around the turn of the 20th century by W. Duke, Sons & Co., as one of many collectible cards included in packages of Duke brand cigarettes. Printed on thin card stock, the image employs mass production techniques, namely chromolithography. This allowed for relatively inexpensive, colorful illustrations, creating widespread appeal. The scene captures a moment of leisure, showing fashionable racegoers. The card's small size made it easily portable, perfect for collecting and trading. These cards were essentially miniature advertisements, revealing the intimate relationship between consumer culture, habits, and commercial art at the time. The skilled labor involved in creating the images stands in stark contrast to the low cost of production, highlighting the efficiencies of industrial capitalism. By examining the materials and context of this cigarette card, we can gain a richer understanding of its cultural significance, blurring the lines between art, advertising, and everyday life.