Three Fishers, from the Illustrated Songs series (N116) issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1893

"Three Fishers" was produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co. around the turn of the century as a promotional card for Honest Long Cut Tobacco. The image presents a romantic vision of womanhood, set against a backdrop of maritime life. This card is not just an advertisement; it's a window into the cultural values of its time. The scene evokes the popular song "The Three Fishers," and the women’s placement, with their backs turned, removes them from the primary sphere of productive labor. The sentimental imagery is not only meant to sell tobacco, but also reinforces social norms about gender and class. To fully understand this card, we might consider consulting archives of advertising history and studies of material culture from this period. By examining such sources, we can better understand the complex interplay between art, commerce, and society, recognizing that even the most ephemeral images can reveal profound insights into the social forces that shape our world.