Cold Comfort, from the Jokes series (N87) for Duke brand cigarettes 1890

"Cold Comfort," from the *Jokes* series, is a trade card created by W. Duke, Sons & Co. in 1890 to advertise Duke brand cigarettes. The card depicts a humorous scene of a man and woman riding in a horse-drawn sleigh, with the man seemingly attempting to whip the horse into a gallop, while the woman appears to be shivering from the cold. The card's title, "Cold Comfort," reinforces the humor and the idea that even in a snowy setting, Duke cigarettes can provide a comforting experience. This trade card is a prime example of the use of humor in advertising, as it aims to appeal to consumers and associate the product with positive emotions. This trade card, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, exemplifies the visual and social commentary of late 19th-century advertising.