A Test Case / Unmatched, from the Jokes series (N118) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1890 - 1893

Curator: This vibrantly coloured print, dating from 1890-1893, comes to us from W. Duke, Sons & Co. It is titled "A Test Case / Unmatched," and served as a promotional item for their Honest Long Cut Tobacco. Editor: Immediately, I’m struck by the odd juxtaposition of images—a composed woman with an acid bottle, and this... unfortunate man. The composition feels very... disjointed. Curator: Disjointed, yes, but I would argue intentionally so. The separation into vignettes highlights distinct signs. Notice the strategic use of the coloured pencil in defining both figures and objects—the luminous quality achieved despite the print medium. What could that choice suggest? Editor: I think the point is how things are assembled to look "real." You see these parts for a disguise—wigs, teeth—suggesting that things that look presentable aren't "honest." The acid, the cheap wages... It points to larger exploitative practices within the company itself. What materials were these cards even printed on? I bet it was cheap paper stock to maximize profits. Curator: An intriguing perspective. We might also consider the opposing poses, her poised grace versus his somewhat grotesque countenance. Does the visual arrangement contribute to an overarching narrative about appearances versus reality? Or could this be seen as a kind of early example of advertising absurdism? Editor: I lean towards social commentary. Consider the working conditions inherent in tobacco production at this time. What appears elegant conceals potentially hazardous practices. We're confronted with this sense of artifice but also with a pointed accusation. It makes you think about how tobacco companies concealed health dangers as well. Curator: Well, that’s quite the interpretive leap. A fascinating examination of how formal visual language can underpin social critique. Editor: Exactly. Analyzing the material realities helps uncover hidden ideologies within a commercial product.