Brenton Reef Light Vessel, from the Lighthouses series (N119) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1889

This lithograph, “Brenton Reef Light Vessel”, is part of a series of trading cards commissioned by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco in 1889. The card depicts a light vessel, a type of ship used to guide mariners in dangerous waters, with its distinctive red hull and American flag flying proudly. The image evokes the romanticism and allure of the maritime world, a common theme in 19th-century American advertising. These cards, now considered collectibles, are a fascinating example of the intersection of art, commerce, and the history of American maritime navigation.