Ground Hog, from the Jokes series (N87) for Duke brand cigarettes 1890

This chromolithograph from the late 19th century, part of the "Jokes" series by W. Duke, Sons & Co., was originally a promotional insert for Duke brand cigarettes. On the surface, this card presents a humorous image: a stout, well-dressed man poised to eat a sausage. The joke, of course, is the pun, as 'ground hog' is another name for sausage. However, these cards offer us insight into the social fabric of the United States during a period of rapid industrialization and the rise of mass media. Tobacco companies like Duke used these cards to cultivate brand loyalty, but also to circulate images and ideas about social class, humor, and consumption. Note the man's attire, the assumed abundance of meat on his plate: how does the imagery portray wealth and plenty? By studying such ephemera in archives, we can begin to unpack the cultural values and assumptions that shaped everyday life at the turn of the century.