Helen Dauvray as "The Pipe of Peace," from the series Fancy Dress Ball Costumes (N73) for Duke brand cigarettes 1889

This small card, made around 1900 by W. Duke, Sons & Co., features actress Helen Dauvray costumed as "The Pipe of Peace." It's a chromolithograph, a printing process that involves using multiple lithographic stones, one for each color, to create a vibrant image. Chromolithography was a popular method for mass-producing colorful images, like this trade card included in cigarette packs. The card's material and production are as intriguing as the image itself. It reflects the industrialization of image-making and its intersection with consumer culture. The labor involved in creating these cards, from the artists who designed them to the factory workers who printed and packaged them, speaks to a changing landscape of work and leisure. These cards, once disposable, now offer a glimpse into the social and economic dynamics of their time. Considering the materials, methods, and context of creation enriches our understanding, blurring the lines between commercial ephemera, art, and social history.