A Short History: General James Ewell Brown Stuart, from the Histories of Generals series (N114) issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Smoking and Chewing Tobacco 1888

Curator: Here we have "A Short History: General James Ewell Brown Stuart," dating from 1888. It's one of a series of trade cards issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote their tobacco products. Quite a mouthful! Editor: Well, my first thought is: that's quite a beard! It practically demands your attention. And the whole thing has this charming, almost naive quality, even considering the subject matter. Curator: Indeed. These cards, printed using coloured pencil lithography, were essentially miniature portraits slipped into packs of "Honest Long Cut" tobacco. Imagine collecting them all! The aim, of course, was to associate figures like the Confederate General Stuart with a sense of history, quality, and, frankly, aspiration. Editor: Right, it’s fascinating how something so disposable becomes a carrier of cultural values. Looking at it now, it speaks volumes about how history gets packaged and sold, doesn’t it? Note also how images like this end up legitimizing specific narratives. Plus, look at the very means of production here. Chromolithography was still a relatively novel commercial technology in the late 19th century. Curator: Absolutely, it’s interesting how they try to convey historical gravitas through something as commonplace as a promotional item. Yet the casual placement next to the smoking and chewing promotion creates an interesting contrast. This isn’t your average battlefield depiction. There is something quite gentle, nostalgic almost, in the portrait. Editor: You’re right. I’m struck by that juxtaposition – "for Smoking and Peace Chewing". What an absurdly charming motto, nestled right next to the promise of tobacco. I guess it highlights that contradiction at the heart of consumer culture: the endless pursuit of satisfaction. Curator: Ultimately, the card is both a portrait and a promotion, both a piece of history and a piece of marketing. Perhaps the true legacy of General Stuart is in the ephemeral world of commerce. Editor: It leaves me thinking about how deeply entwined history, consumerism, and artistic practice really are. Makes you wonder what the cigarette cards of the future will look like!