Life of Buffalo Bill, from the Histories of Poor Boys and Famous People series of booklets (N79) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888

This small booklet, created by W. Duke Sons & Co., was a promotional item included with Duke brand cigarettes. As part of the "Histories of Poor Boys and Famous People" series, it reflects the late 19th-century fascination with the mythology of the self-made man, a narrative deeply intertwined with the expansion of the American West. The image presents Buffalo Bill, a figure who embodied both the romanticism and the brutal realities of westward expansion. It’s crucial to remember that Buffalo Bill's persona was largely constructed, a performance of rugged masculinity that glossed over the violence and displacement of Indigenous peoples. His shows, while hugely popular, perpetuated a skewed narrative of conquest and heroism. Consider the implications of associating this image with a product like cigarettes, further embedding these narratives into everyday life. The booklet served as a form of cultural propaganda, shaping perceptions of American identity and history.