U.S.S. Texas, from the Transparencies series (N137) issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1884 - 1890

This is a promotional transparency card of the U.S.S. Texas, made around 1900 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to advertise Honest Long Cut Tobacco. The card’s design shows a shift towards mass production and consumer culture. Printed on thin paper, likely using lithography, the card was one of a series included in tobacco packages. The process allowed for colorful images to be reproduced quickly and cheaply, making them accessible to a broad audience. The depiction of the U.S.S. Texas, a symbol of American naval power, was a strategic marketing tool, associating the tobacco brand with patriotism and modernity. The card's small size and disposable nature reflect a growing culture of consumption, where images and information were increasingly commodified and circulated widely. The card represents the changing landscape of art and design, where commercial interests and technological innovation intersect. It challenges traditional notions of art by highlighting the role of industry and advertising in shaping visual culture.