Benjamin Harrison of Indiana, from the Presidential Possibilities series (N124) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1888

This card featuring Benjamin Harrison, issued by Duke Sons & Co., was part of a series of promotional materials for Honest Long Cut Tobacco. Produced likely in the late 19th century, it exemplifies the use of chromolithography, a color printing technique that was revolutionary at the time. The process involved creating a separate lithographic stone for each color, layering them to produce a vibrant image. This mass production technique allowed for the widespread distribution of colorful images, blurring the lines between advertising and art. You can see that it is made up of thousands of tiny little dots of color. The card’s purpose—to promote tobacco—reveals much about the era’s industrial capitalism and consumer culture. Tobacco production relied on complex supply chains and labor systems, often exploitative. Cards like these not only advertised a product, but also subtly reinforced social hierarchies. They also provide us with insights into the labor involved in their production and the broader context of American industry at the time. By considering the card's materials, production process, and cultural context, we gain a richer understanding of its historical significance, challenging traditional notions of artistic value.