Rushing the Growler, from the Jokes series (N87) for Duke brand cigarettes 1890

This chromolithograph titled 'Rushing the Growler' was made in the late 19th century for the Duke brand of cigarettes. Produced using a labor-intensive method involving multiple limestone printing stones, each inked with a different color, these cards like this one were originally included in cigarette packs. The image depicts a dog running away with a beer pail, or "growler," while being chased by a police officer. The choice of chromolithography, a printing technique that allowed for the mass production of colorful and detailed images, speaks to the rise of consumer culture and advertising during this period. The card's small size and the use of bright, eye-catching colors were intentional, meant to capture the consumer's attention. What I find most compelling is the relationship between the detailed craftsmanship of chromolithography and its use in mass-produced ephemera, blurring the boundaries between art, advertising, and everyday life.