Tuba, from the Musical Instruments series (N82) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888

"Tuba" is a chromolithograph from the "Musical Instruments" series, commissioned by W. Duke, Sons & Co. in 1888 as a trade card for Duke brand cigarettes. The artwork depicts a woman in a blue dress and a wide-brimmed hat holding a tuba, symbolizing the brand's popularity and its connection to musical entertainment. These trade cards were widely distributed and are a fascinating example of the intersection between artistic expression and commercial marketing in the late 19th century.