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

This is a chromolithograph card from the "Histories of Poor Boys and Famous People" series published by W. Duke, Sons & Co. in 1888 as part of a marketing campaign for Duke brand cigarettes. The card features a portrait of the English poet Alfred Lord Tennyson, a popular figure in Victorian England. This series of collectible cards helped increase awareness of the Duke brand, and are now considered valuable artifacts of late-19th century printmaking and advertising. The card is a vivid example of the *trade card* genre, which often featured images of famous individuals and historical events.