Metamorphic tobacco trade cards, approximately 1868-1880s

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Summary

Abstract:
Collection consists of 12 metamorphic tobacco and cigarette cards. Most of the cards were printed by Donaldson Brothers of New York or Calvert Lithography of Detroit. Cards were produced by a number of American tobacco companies, including C.A. Jackson, E.H. Pogue, Duke, and W.T. Blackwell. Images on the cards include advertisements for the tobacco companies and local retailers; caricatures of politicians including Benjamin Butler, Bismarck, George Washington, Samuel Tilden, and U.S. Grant. Cards also feature jingles and poems along with depictions of racial and ethnic stereotypes. Acquired as part of the John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History.
Extent:
0.2 Linear Feet
Language:
Materials in English.
Collection ID:
RL.11971

Background

Scope and content:

Collection consists of 12 metamorphic tobacco and cigarette cards. Most of the cards were printed by Donaldson Brothers of New York or Calvert Lithography of Detroit. Cards were produced by a number of American tobacco companies, including C.A. Jackson, E.H. Pogue, Duke, and W.T. Blackwell. Images on the cards include advertisements for the tobacco companies and local retailers; caricatures of politicians including Benjamin Butler, Bismarck, George Washington, Samuel Tilden, and U.S. Grant. Cards also feature jingles and poems along with depictions of racial and ethnic stereotypes.

Biographical / historical:

Tobacco trade cards first appeared around 1870, possibly earlier. Originally the cards were blank and intended to offer stiffness to tobacco and cigarette packages, but soon they began to carry advertisements, amusing stories, cartoons and other illustrations. Positive consumer response led to the cards becoming collectible, and eventually the cards were issued as series including famous athletes, politicians, flowers, flags and other themes. Metamorphic cards featured images that changed when a leaf was folded or unfolded, adding an aspect of interactive amusement. Cigarette cards remained popular into the early 20th century when a paper shortage during World War I curtailed much of the practice. Trade cards were sporadically revived as a merchandising practice through much of the 20th century.

Source: https://www.collectorsweekly.com/tobacciana/tobacco-cards

Acquisition information:
The Metamorphic tobacco trade cards were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a purchase in 2021.
Processing information:

Processed by Richard Collier, Jan. 2022;

Accessions described in this collection guide: 2021-0119.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

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Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the Rubenstein Library's Citations, Permissions, and Copyright guide.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Metamorphic tobacco trade cards, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

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