"Der's a stunt for yer," from the Terrors of America set (N136) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1888 - 1889

This small card, made around 1888 by W. Duke, Sons & Co., is a lithograph. The image is printed with ink on paper, a process that allowed for mass production. Look closely, and you’ll see a young acrobat, performing a handstand. This card was issued as part of a series called "Terrors of America," a rather sensational title for what are essentially images of children at play. Tobacco companies included these cards with their products as a marketing strategy aimed at attracting a wider consumer base. The lithographic process enabled the cheap and rapid production of these cards, making them accessible to a broad audience. The cards, and the items they promoted, were part of a growing consumer culture. These cards are fascinating because they blur the lines between art, advertising, and popular culture. By paying attention to materials and making, we can understand how art is deeply embedded in the social and economic forces of its time.