Number 11, Metamorphoses, from the Tricks with Cards series (N138) issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1887

This is "Number 11, Metamorphoses," a promotional card made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. for Honest Long Cut Tobacco in the late 19th century. These cards were not conceived as art, but rather as a marketing tool in a competitive industry. The rise of tobacco companies coincided with the mass production of color lithography and the emergence of modern advertising. "Metamorphoses" reflects this intersection, using the imagery of magic to capture consumer attention. The card presents a seemingly impossible transformation, mirroring the illusions that advertisers sought to create around their products. But in truth, understanding the card's significance requires us to look beyond its surface. By examining the archives of advertising history, we can understand the commercial strategies and cultural values that shaped its production. In essence, this card reminds us that art, even in its most unassuming forms, is deeply embedded in its historical moment.