President Guzman Blanco of Venezuela, from the Rulers, Flags, and Coats of Arms series (N126-2) issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. 1888

This small card, dating to the late 19th century, was one of a series issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co., the giant of the tobacco industry, printed using chromolithography, a color printing technique. The image is of the Venezuelan Coat of Arms. Look closely, and you can appreciate the many different colors that would have been individually applied using lithographic stones. Each color represents a layer of labor and time. The card would have been mass-produced, with workers churning them out to be included in cigarette packs, an early form of advertising. These small chromolithographs were more than just commercial ephemera; they also give us a glimpse into the social and economic landscape of the time. They reflect the growth of consumer culture and the global reach of industrial capitalism. These cards demonstrate how the most beautiful and engaging imagery can be integrated into the most mundane aspects of everyday life.