Queen of Spades (black), from the Playing Cards series (N84) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888

This is a playing card from the *Playing Cards series (N84)* created in 1888 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote the Duke brand of cigarettes. The artwork is a *Queen of Spades* playing card, featuring a stylized Queen with a black spade suit and a vibrant palette of red, yellow, and blue. The card is visually dynamic, with the Queen's head turned in profile. The intricate design incorporates stylized floral and geometric patterns, which reflects the popular aesthetic of the late 19th century. This card, now a part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, exemplifies the unique blend of artistic design and advertising that characterized the late 19th century.