What We See on the Ferries, from the Snapshots from "Puck" series (N128) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1888

Printed around 1888, "What We See on the Ferries," a chromolithograph from the Duke Sons & Co., presents a snapshot of leisure and identity in the late 19th century. This advertisement uses humor to connect with consumers, depicting a man laden with luggage, dressed in vacation attire, and accompanied by a dog. The text playfully suggests his destination is not as grand as his appearance implies, instead, he's only going to New Jersey. The juxtaposition between outward appearance and reality speaks volumes about social aspirations and class distinctions of the time. Tobacco companies often aimed their products at aspirational markets, subtly reinforcing social hierarchies while inviting consumers to partake in a lifestyle associated with wealth and leisure. The emotional resonance of this image lies in its gentle satire. It prompts us to reflect on the ways we present ourselves and the assumptions others make based on these performances. What does it mean to perform wealth? What’s real and what’s for show?