A Short History of General A. Phill, 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, made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. between 1870 and 1920, is printed on paper using lithography and other techniques. As a promotional item for "Honest Long Cut Smoking and Chewing Tobacco," it represents the fusion of industry, marketing, and cultural values. The card's design includes a portrait of General A. P. Hill, images of a Confederate flag, and naval symbols. These choices reflect the complex social context of the post-Civil War era, where nostalgia and commerce were intertwined. The production of such cards involved repetitive labor, part of the era's burgeoning consumer culture. The chromolithography process, which creates vibrant colors through layering, hints at industrial printing's increasing sophistication and scale. By examining the materials and processes used in this card's creation, we gain insight into the intersection of labor, politics, and consumption. It challenges the idea of art being separate from everyday life, highlighting how cultural values are embedded within the making and marketing of even the simplest objects.