A Short History: General William T. Sherman, from the Histories of Generals series (N114) issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Smoking and Chewing Tobacco 1888

This small printed card, dating from around 1888, was made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote their tobacco. It is from a series titled "Histories of Generals," and features General William T. Sherman. This is not an artwork in the traditional sense, yet it is exquisitely printed, and thus belongs to the history of chromolithography. This process allowed for relatively inexpensive reproduction of colorful images on a mass scale. Each card like this one involved typesetting, layering of colors, and assembly line-style production. Consider the inherent qualities of the paper, its weight and texture. This card represents the intersection of industrial production, commercial advertising, and cultural values during the late 19th century. Its very existence speaks to the rise of consumer culture and the use of art as a marketing tool. By examining such seemingly modest artifacts, we expand our understanding of art beyond the confines of museums and galleries, and think about the larger matrix of labor, politics, and consumption.