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

This 1888 chromolithograph, part of the "Histories of Poor Boys and Famous People" booklet series, depicts the American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Printed by W. Duke, Sons & Co. for Duke brand cigarettes, the card features a portrait of Longfellow with a prominent white beard and hair, and is rendered in a realistic style, capturing the likeness of the literary figure. The image was likely intended to appeal to the general public, who might have enjoyed learning about the lives of prominent figures through this unique medium of cigarette cards. This example is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, a testament to the enduring interest in historical figures and the cultural significance of cigarette cards as a form of visual ephemera.