Cornet and Oboe, from the Musical Instruments series (N121) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1888

This chromolithograph, dating from around 1870-1920, was made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as an advertising card for Honest Long Cut Tobacco. These cards were printed using lithography, a process that allows for detailed images and text to be reproduced quickly and cheaply. The technique of chromolithography allowed for the card to be printed in multiple colors, creating an attractive and eye-catching image. The card features two women, each holding a musical instrument; a cornet and an oboe. The high-quality print suggests the use of skilled craftsmanship, but it was employed here as an everyday tool to encourage consumption and brand loyalty. Cards like these were widely distributed and collected, blurring the boundaries between commercial advertising and popular culture. They remind us that the world of fine art and craft has always been closely tied to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumerism.