Harp and Accordion, from the Musical Instruments series (N121) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1888

Editor: This is a trade card from 1888 by W. Duke, Sons & Co., promoting Honest Long Cut Tobacco. It's called "Harp and Accordion," and it's just lovely! The women are so elegantly drawn. What stands out to you as you look at this piece? Curator: I'm drawn to the duality it presents, a seemingly simple comparison of two musical instruments. But on closer inspection, one must ask, why *these* two? Consider the cultural connotations of each instrument in the late 19th century. Editor: I see... The harp, of course, evokes high society and refinement, while the accordion seems more folksy. Curator: Exactly. The harp was a symbol of angelic grace, frequently depicted with heavenly figures and the elite class. Whereas the accordion carried connotations of jovial gatherings, a common symbol of the working class and the streets. Look at how this card plays with both, attempting to create a bridge across social strata, likely hoping to appeal to a broader consumer base. It uses two contrasting feminine archetypes, which may be of further interest. Editor: Fascinating! I hadn't considered the class implications. Now the composition itself speaks volumes. What is interesting is that both women are the same "type". This card is not just advertising tobacco, it sells a kind of lifestyle. Curator: And consider the broader cultural memory at play here. How tobacco itself held a complex position, once celebrated, then increasingly stigmatized... symbols upon symbols, creating an intriguing collage for the modern eye. Editor: So much to think about, much more than just instruments and tobacco. Thank you for clarifying it all. Curator: It’s in such commonplace objects where you can often see some very intriguing patterns of culture and human behaviour, waiting to be noticed.