A Short History of Admiral David D. Porter, from the Histories of Generals series of booklets (N78) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888

This small chromolithograph of Admiral David D. Porter was made around 1888 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as part of a series of collectible cards included in cigarette packs. The image shows a man, presumably Porter, in profile, framed by ornate gold flourishes, with the title of the booklet displayed beneath. The commercial context is key here. Cigarette cards like this one served as marketing tools, using images of popular figures to associate the brand with success and patriotism. The use of military heroes speaks to the post-Civil War era in the United States, where national identity was being redefined and narratives of heroism were being commodified. To fully understand the social impact of these images, we can consider the history of advertising and the rise of consumer culture at this time, drawing on sources from business archives and advertising journals. The meaning of the image, therefore, is inseparable from its role in the commercial landscape of late 19th-century America.