Steamship State of Texas, Mallory Line, from the Ocean and River Steamers series (N83) for Duke brand cigarettes 1887

This small chromolithograph was made by W. Duke, Sons & Co., sometime between 1870 and 1920 as part of a series of collectible cards included in packs of Duke brand cigarettes. Here we see the steamship "State of Texas," belonging to the Mallory Line, juxtaposed with an allegorical female figure and American and Texan flags. The Mallory Line was a major shipping company in the late 19th century, crucial for trade and transport along the Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico. Cigarette cards like this one were immensely popular, reflecting and shaping public interests and tastes. They served as miniature billboards, reinforcing brand loyalty while offering a glimpse into the era’s fascination with maritime technology and national pride. The imagery promotes both commercial interests and a sense of American identity. A historian might look at company records, advertisements, and social surveys from the time to better understand this intersection of commerce, patriotism, and popular culture. Through such research, we recognize that even a seemingly simple collectible card can reveal complex layers of social and institutional history.