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

Editor: Here we have “Life of Mark Twain,” a chromolithograph dating back to 1888. It’s one of a series of trade cards issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as part of their cigarette brand advertising. The card has such a charming, almost folk-arty feel. It makes me think of those old-timey portraits, you know, the kind with a somewhat flattened perspective? What’s your take? Curator: You’re spot on about that flatness – it does have that charming naive quality, doesn't it? But, it also makes me consider how celebrity was being manufactured and marketed in the late 19th century. Think about it: here’s a writer, known for his wit and sharp observations, being used to sell cigarettes! It's such a juxtaposition of high culture and commercialism that strikes me. It begs the question, who are we really buying? The Mark Twain we know, or this carefully constructed image of him? Editor: That's fascinating! It's strange to think of such a literary figure being used in advertising like this. Was this kind of marketing common back then? Curator: Oh, absolutely. These cards were like miniature works of art, designed to be collected and traded. Cigarette companies used them to promote all sorts of things - athletes, actors, even historical events. In this particular portrait, it’s how they capture his kind, world-weary essence that gets to me – makes him palatable to mass consumption! What I think is truly ingenious is that these objects were both disposable advertisements and enduring works of portraiture. How wonderfully weird is that?! Editor: Wow, I’ll never look at a cigarette card the same way again! Thanks for showing me the surprising depth behind what seemed, at first glance, to be a simple portrait. Curator: My pleasure! It’s amazing how one small piece of ephemera can unlock a whole world of cultural history. It's like holding a little time capsule, isn’t it?