First Footing, Scotland, from the Holidays series (N80) for Duke brand cigarettes 1890

This chromolithograph called "First Footing, Scotland" was produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as a promotional item for Duke brand cigarettes. It depicts a Scottish New Year’s tradition where the first person to cross the threshold of a home after midnight brings good fortune. The image presents an idealized view of Scottish culture, emphasizing romantic and domestic scenes. This card reflects the late 19th-century rise in consumer culture, where companies used collectible cards to promote their products. Tobacco companies, in particular, capitalized on exotic imagery to appeal to consumers. Understanding this image requires looking into the history of advertising, consumerism, and the cultural representation of Scotland. Researching the marketing strategies of tobacco companies and the popular imagery of the time can shed light on the social context in which this card was created and consumed. The meaning of this artwork is contingent on these social and institutional contexts.