An Improvised Pastille, from the Snapshots from "Puck" series (N128) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1888

This chromolithograph, made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. in the late 19th century, was issued as a promotional card for Honest Long Cut Tobacco. It offers a satirical commentary on social discomforts in public spaces. The card depicts a rather large man consuming what appears to be Limburger cheese on a crowded train, much to the dismay of his fellow passengers. We can see that Duke Sons & Co. have used the setting of public transport as a microcosm of society, highlighting the tensions between individual freedoms and the collective need for consideration. The humor derives from the exaggerated reactions of the passengers, and also the caricature of the central figure. The card's association with Puck magazine suggests a self-conscious engagement with contemporary debates about etiquette and civility. To understand the social mores of the period, we might look into advice manuals, etiquette guides, and popular periodicals. These sources help us decode the visual language of the artwork. In this way, we see how it both reflects and shapes cultural norms.