A Short History of General Joe Hooker, from the Histories of Generals series (N114) issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Smoking and Chewing Tobacco

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century American advertising with *A Short History of General Joe Hooker*, a gem from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection. Produced in 1888 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. and printed by Knapp & Company, this petite commercial color lithograph (just 4 3/16 × 2 1/2 inches) belongs to the *Histories of Generals* series (N114). Tucked into packages of Honest Long Cut Smoking and Chewing Tobacco, it served as a collectible trading card, blending education with promotion during the post-Civil War era. The card features a profile portrait of Union General Joseph Hooker—known for his role in the Army of the Potomac—adorned with his signature hat, evoking the era's fascination with military heroes. Chromolithography, the medium's colorful technique, allowed for vivid, mass-produced prints that captured attention amid the rise of consumer culture. These ephemera cards fueled a collecting craze, turning everyday tobacco purchases into historical lessons. Today, this unassuming print highlights how commerce intertwined with patriotism, preserving snippets of Civil War memory while showcasing the artistry of commercial design. A testament to everyday history!

About the Artist

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

**W. Duke, Sons & Co.: Pioneers of Chromolithographic Trade Card Art** W. Duke, Sons & Co., an American tobacco manufacturer, emerged from the entrepreneurial vision of Washington Duke (1820–1905) and his sons in Durham, North Carolina. After the Civil War, Washington abandoned farming in 1874 to join his eldest son, Brodie L. Duke, in the burgeoning tobacco trade, establishing a factory that for...