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Duke Tobacco Company Cigarette Card Collection

Finding Aid & Inventory

Cigarette cards advertised tobacco through art and card-trading activities. These cards from 1888 were issued as advertisements for Duke Brothers and Company, Durham, N.C., and packed in Duke's cigarettes.

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Biographical and Historical Note

In the late 19th century, colorful cigarette cards were an ideal way to advertise the use of tobacco, an increasingly popular and widespread diversion in the U.S. The earliest cards using single images dated from 1877. Over time as popularity escalated, series of images were produced to promote the sale of cards to collectors and traders. Cartophily, or the hobby of collecting cards, was born.

The early success of cigarette cards led many companies to adopt this new advertising method. Subjects ranged from U.S. Presidents to cowboys to baseball. With the use of color lithography and mechanized printing, mass production of the cards was possible.

The images in this collection represent cigarette cards dating from 1888. One series, "Terrors of America," depicts young boys in various pursuits. Another series, "Shadows," depicts a variety of people with caricatures in their shadows.

The cards were issued as advertisement for Duke Brothers and Company, Durham, N.C., and packed in Duke's cigarettes.

Collection Inventory

Summary Information

Repository: Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives
Title: Duke Tobacco Company Cigarette Card Collection
ID: MS622
Date [inclusive]: circa 1888
Extent: 0.2 Linear Feet 1 small box
Mixed Materials [box]: 1

Administrative Information

Publication Information: Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives

For digitized materials, please view our Duke Tobacco Company Cigarette Cards Collection.

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