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

This chromolithograph, “Life of Buffalo Bill,” is a small booklet from the “Histories of Poor Boys and Famous People” series for Duke brand cigarettes, printed in 1888. It portrays William Frederick Cody, better known as Buffalo Bill, a renowned frontiersman, scout, and showman of the Wild West. The image features Cody wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a buckskin jacket, capturing the iconic image of the American cowboy. This booklet, measuring 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 inches closed, is a prime example of ephemera—objects of historical significance—and is now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.