Life of P.T. Barnum, from the Histories of Poor Boys and Famous People series of booklets (N79) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888

This 1888 chromolithograph from the "Histories of Poor Boys and Famous People" series of booklets, created by W. Duke, Sons & Co. for Duke brand cigarettes, depicts P.T. Barnum. The image, which is part of a collectible series, features a close-up portrait of Barnum, a renowned American showman, against a colorful background. The image, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcases the use of color printing technology and the popularity of biographical narratives in the late 19th century. The card is a testament to the marketing strategies of the time, combining product branding with cultural figures.