Number 23, Carte Vivante, from the Tricks with Cards series (N138) issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1887

This is Number 23, Carte Vivante, a promotional trading card made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to advertise Honest Long Cut Tobacco in the late 19th century. These cards, distributed with tobacco products, offer a window into the era’s popular culture, reflecting both its fascination with illusion and its marketing strategies. The image depicts a magician, promising entertainment and wonder to potential customers. Magic, at this time, gained popularity as a form of mass entertainment, mirroring the rise of consumer culture and the spectacle of advertising. The card's design, with its bright colors and simple imagery, catered to a wide audience. To fully understand this artwork, we can look at the company's history, marketing practices, and the cultural landscape of the time. Studying such ephemera helps us understand how art intertwines with commerce and how it shapes our perceptions.