"Here's my Maud S.," from the Terrors of America set (N136) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1888 - 1889

This small card promoting Honest Long Cut Tobacco was made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. sometime between 1870 and 1920. It's part of a set called "The Terrors of America," which is an ironic title, given that it depicts a child riding a goat pulling a small express cart. The image refers to the famous racehorse Maud S., known for her speed and elegance. Here, however, we have a parody of wealth and privilege. A working-class child, in a cheaply printed advertisement, imitates the leisurely pursuits of the upper class. Is this an ironic commentary on the social structure of the time? It certainly plays with class anxieties and aspirations. To understand the image, we might research the history of tobacco advertising, and even delve into the history of American leisure and class divisions. It's through this kind of social and historical context that the full meaning of the artwork emerges, revealing a complex interplay of commerce, class, and cultural aspiration.