Joseph R. Hawley of Connecticut, from the Presidential Possibilities series (N124) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1888

Editor: So this print, "Joseph R. Hawley of Connecticut," from 1888, was part of a series by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote tobacco. It's quite striking. It feels almost aspirational. How do you interpret this piece in the context of its time? Curator: This image offers a fascinating entry point to examine how power and commerce intertwined in the late 19th century. We see Hawley, a potential presidential candidate, but his image is deployed to sell tobacco. This blending is crucial. Who gets to be portrayed, and why? Whose narratives are being elevated through this commercial art? Editor: I see what you mean. The 'Presidential Possibilities' title feels… ironic, almost. He wasn’t particularly well known, and here he is, tied to a tobacco product. Curator: Precisely. Think about the consumers. Who were they, and what did this association imply? This wasn't just about selling tobacco; it was about subtly associating it with respectability, even political aspiration. How does that relate to public health debates or the rise of consumer culture in this period? Editor: So it’s more than just an advertisement. It's a statement about social hierarchies and how they were reinforced, or even manufactured, through marketing. Curator: Exactly. We must consider the historical context of labor, race, and class. The commodification of figures like Hawley served particular economic and social interests. How can understanding the image help us critique similar practices today? Editor: That really reframes my understanding of this piece. It is not just a portrait; it is a signifier of societal values, or at least, the values that tobacco companies wanted to promote. Curator: Right, it reminds us that images are never neutral; they are active participants in shaping our understanding of the world. The surface-level aesthetic quickly leads us to deeper considerations.