A Short History of General William J. Hardee, from the Histories of Generals series of booklets (N78) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888

This is a chromolithograph from a series of booklets created by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Duke brand cigarettes. It depicts General William J. Hardee, a Confederate general in the American Civil War, in full uniform. The image is a portrait with an ornate decorative border and a banner across the top that reads "A SHORT HISTORY OF". It was likely produced as a collectible card or promotional material, illustrating the popularity of historical figures as a marketing strategy in the late 19th century. The vivid colors and detailed rendering of Hardee's likeness and uniform demonstrate the quality of printing prevalent in the era. This particular piece belongs to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and exemplifies the "Histories of Generals" series of booklets published by Duke brand cigarettes.