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

This small card was printed by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Smoking and Chewing Tobacco. It’s made of paper, printed with chromolithography, a relatively new technology at the time. Looking closely, you can see the layering of colors, building up the image of General Lee, the confederate flag, and the tobacco leaves. This mass-reproducible printing technique was essential to building Duke’s tobacco empire. The imagery promotes a romantic vision of the confederacy and reinforces a specific cultural narrative tied to the consumption of tobacco. These cards were included in packs of tobacco, incentivizing repeat purchases and creating a collectible series. The card speaks volumes about the intertwining of commerce, culture, and historical narratives, highlighting how mass-produced items contribute to shaping social memory. It’s a reminder that even seemingly simple objects can carry complex social and political meanings.