A Short History of General A. S. Johnston, from the Histories of Generals series (N114) issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Smoking and Chewing Tobacco 1888

This trade card, printed by W. Duke, Sons & Co. between 1870 and 1920, was made to promote Honest Long Cut Smoking and Chewing Tobacco. Printed on thin card stock, its surface bears witness to the industrial processes of mass production, using relatively inexpensive chromolithography. This allowed for the creation of colourful images, but with a flatness that distinguishes it from earlier forms of printmaking that would normally be found in fine art. Trade cards like this were essentially ephemeral; the intention was to catch the consumer's eye. The image, depicting Confederate General A. S. Johnston, is divided into four parts: the General's portrait, the brand of tobacco advertised, a battle scene, and decorative foliage. The printing process renders all of these with equal weight, blurring the lines between historical representation, commercial advertising, and patriotic symbolism. These cards speak volumes about the intersection of commerce, culture, and identity in post-Civil War America, and remind us that even the humblest of materials can tell a rich story.