Governor General of Canada, from the Rulers, Flags, and Coats of Arms series (N126-1) issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. 1888

This small chromolithograph of the Governor General of Canada was printed by W. Duke, Sons & Co. in the late nineteenth century, and included in packets of “Honest Long Cut” tobacco. The firm specialized in such cards, mechanically printed in vast quantities. Here, three images flank the Governor General’s portrait. On the left, the Canadian coat-of-arms; on the right, a British flag flying above children tobogganing. The very concept of such a card is, of course, tied to industrial production and global commerce. The imagery, too, speaks to labor, politics, and consumption. The Governor General represents the imperial order. The coat-of-arms symbolizes the authority of the state. And the tobogganing children? Well, they are potential consumers. It’s easy to overlook these cards, but they encapsulate a great deal about the social and economic fabric of their time. This example reminds us that mass production and promotional strategies were as influential in shaping visual culture as any artist working in a studio.