A Heavy Ring, from the Jokes series (N87) for Duke brand cigarettes 1890

Curator: Let's turn our attention to this print, titled "A Heavy Ring," from the Jokes series of N87 trading cards, circa 1890. It was produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co. for their Duke brand cigarettes, and is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: Ah, yes. Right away, I feel a sense of quaint social comedy here. The almost precarious angle of the book agent, leaning, laden down – it speaks volumes about persistence and maybe a touch of desperation! Curator: Indeed. The image captures a very particular moment, a societal interaction mediated by a door and a bell, acting as a barrier. The book agent, note his calling card and books, stands outside this boundary attempting to intrude, or at least connect. Editor: He does seem rather dapper for someone trying to sell books door to door. Look at the top hat, the jacket...Almost theatrical, isn't it? Like he's playing a part. Makes you wonder what sort of books he's trying to hawk – perhaps not the most intellectual stuff! Curator: Perhaps popular literature of the time? Or instructional manuals aimed at upward mobility, given the social aspirations suggested by his attire. We also see visual cues hinting to the era, in the "door bell" label of the ringer itself. That direct signage contrasts with the implicit message conveyed by the man and the books he is carrying. Editor: Right! And the title, "A Heavy Ring," takes on multiple meanings. There’s the literal act of ringing, the heavy burden of books he carries, and the heavy, potentially unwelcome nature of his intrusion. Maybe a heavy ring around one's finger? Curator: Precisely. The layering of symbolism here suggests anxieties of that period. It may even hint at the commercial disruption represented by new industries like cigarette manufacturing – the very sponsor of this card. Editor: That’s it! These cigarette cards became tiny narratives of everyday life, each containing miniature commentary. Imagine someone finding this in their pack...A wry little wink at the world. Curator: These cards, at face value, might be ads. But at closer inspection, we start to decipher more than mere advertising. It gives a chance to rethink about our interpretation of ordinary imageries around us and how that shapes history in various scales. Editor: It truly does add a depth. I walked into a light-hearted moment, but left pondering larger societal themes – all thanks to one insistent book agent and his heavy ring.