Puzzle Card Number 6, The "Ribbon" Puzzle, from the Jokes series (N118) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1887 - 1891

Curator: This is Puzzle Card Number 6 from the "Jokes" series, dating between 1887 and 1891. It was issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by how the nested, spiraling text bands create a dizzying optical effect. The color shifts also feel very intentional; it is such a complex composition for an advertisement. Curator: Right. It's intriguing how advertising utilized puzzle cards during this period. They were collected and traded. Think about the implications on brand engagement! These weren’t mere advertisements but collectible commodities intertwined with leisure and social activity. Editor: Yes, and beyond its commercial function, the card employs several formal devices to draw you in. The careful orchestration of contrasting colors--the warm yellows against cool blues, for instance--amplifies the visual rhythm. Curator: These cards tell us much about the culture of collecting at the time, reflecting how objects became part of constructing personal identity and social networks. Plus, consider the level of literacy and engagement needed to solve the puzzle itself! Editor: Definitely, it is hard to solve! And those geometric floral flourishes around the edge lend it a rather quaint and decorative border. Curator: Beyond aesthetics, these flourishes mirror design trends influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement, democratizing "high art" by integrating it into everyday commercial objects. They suggest an aspiration towards refinement during a time of rapid industrialization. Editor: Fascinating. For me, I see that play of color, shape, and depth which elevates the simple commercial graphic into a compelling piece. It’s far more than meets the eye. Curator: Agreed. Thinking about its circulation helps understand the wider reach advertising and corporate culture had during this time. It offers insights into consumer habits and what held social value. Editor: Considering it afresh has reminded me about the ingenuity found even within promotional materials, and to not underestimate their visual power.