King of Clubs, from Harlequin Cards, 2nd Series (N220) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

"King of Clubs" from the Harlequin Cards, was printed by Kinney Bros., a tobacco company founded in 1869. These cards, distributed with tobacco products, offer a window into the culture of late 19th-century America. The King, with his crown askew, clutches both bottle and glass, suggesting a society grappling with changing norms around class and masculinity. The figure has a slightly grotesque appearance, perhaps reflecting anxieties about power and excess during the Gilded Age. The card’s design, typical of its time, would have been mass produced and widely circulated, subtly shaping perceptions and reinforcing stereotypes about identity. But it also allows us to reflect on how far society has come, and how the power of art and design can influence both personal and collective consciousness. What does this King of Clubs make you feel?