Steamship Chateau Lafitte, Bordeaux Line, from the Ocean and River Steamers series (N83) for Duke brand cigarettes 1887

This colorful lithograph, "Steamship Chateau Lafitte, Bordeaux Line," from the "Ocean and River Steamers" series, was created in 1887 as a trade card for Duke brand cigarettes. Featuring a portrait of a young man in a top hat, surrounded by flags, and the steamship "Chateau Lafitte" sailing on a calm sea, this vibrant artwork reflects the excitement of 19th-century maritime travel. The trade card is a prime example of chromolithography, a printing technique that allowed for vibrant color and detailed imagery, often used in advertising and trade cards of the time. The artwork is currently in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.