"I didn't steal no apples, Mister," from the Terrors of America set (N136) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1888 - 1889

"I didn't steal no apples, Mister" by W. Duke, Sons & Co. is a chromolithograph card, likely made around 1888 as part of a series to promote tobacco. Visually, the figure of the boy dominates the center, his posture and expression conveying defiance, innocence and possibly deception. Framed by floral motifs and ornamental scrolls, the composition creates a tension between the staged presentation and the gritty realism of the boy's disheveled appearance. What's fascinating here is the use of semiotics. The boy's attire, a patchwork of worn fabrics, functions as a visual signifier of poverty and social status. Yet, this representation is mediated by the commercial function of the card itself, intended to appeal to consumers of "Honest Long Cut Tobacco." This juxtaposition of social commentary and commercial appeal reflects how the piece destabilizes established meanings. It invites us to consider the complex interplay between representation, commerce, and cultural values in the late 19th century.