"A great big bite," from the Terrors of America set (N136) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century advertising with *"A great big bite," a charming chromolithograph from the *Terrors of America* (N136). Produced in 1888–89 by Knapp & Company for W. Duke, Sons & Co this tiny card—measuring just 2¾ × 1½ inches—was inserted into packs of Honest Long Cut Tobacco to entice collectors and promote the brand. Part of a series likely featuring mischievous boys as America's playful "terrors," it the era's fascination with youthful antics through bold, colorful imagery. Chromolithography, the medium here, revolutionized commercial printing by allowing vivid, multi-layered colors on a mass scale, making these ephemera both affordable souvenirs and marketing marvels. Duke's cards were hugely popular, sparking a collecting craze that boosted tobacco sales amid fierce competition in the Gilded Age industry. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, this print highlights how everyday objects blended art, commerce, and culture. Imagine boys trading these pocket-sized treasures— a delightful glimpse into Victorian-era fun and the birth of modern branding!

About the Artist

Knapp & Company|W. Duke, Sons & Co. (American|American) · |1870 – |1920

American, New York|New York and Durham, N.C.