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

"Bells," from the "Musical Instruments" series, was created in 1888 as a trade card for W. Duke, Sons & Co., a prominent cigarette manufacturer of the time. This chromolithograph depicts a woman in a Victorian-era gown, holding a bell in one hand while another hand rests on a set of five bells on a table. The card reflects the popularity of trade cards as a form of advertising in the late 19th century, often showcasing themes and imagery associated with everyday life and popular culture. Today, the card is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, highlighting the significance of trade cards as historical artifacts of consumer culture and artistic expression.