Before Election, "This'll make her blaze," from the Terrors of America set (N136) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1888 - 1889

This small chromolithograph was created around 1888 by W. Duke, Sons & Co., as a promotional insert for Honest Long Cut Tobacco. These cards were printed using a technique where multiple stones or plates, each inked with a different color, were used to create a layered, vibrant image. Here, we see a boy carrying a barrel. The card's material construction is as telling as its image. Cheaply printed, this card speaks volumes about the industrial processes and mass production of the late 19th century. Tobacco companies like Duke used these cards as a way to increase sales, turning art into a commodity. The ease of production allowed for wide distribution, embedding these images into the everyday lives of consumers. The "terrors of America" set is a window into the social and political landscape of the time. These cards blur the lines between art, advertising, and social commentary. It reminds us that materials and making are always embedded in broader networks of labor, politics, and consumption.