Newfoundland, Two Dollars, from the series Coins of All Nations (N72, variation 1) for Duke brand cigarettes 1889

This colorful lithograph, "Newfoundland, Two Dollars," was created around 1888 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as part of a cigarette card series. The card features an exaggerated figure of a man, perhaps meant to represent a Newfoundlander, alongside a representation of the Newfoundland two-dollar coin. The composition strikes an odd balance between caricature and commerce. The figure’s oversized head and simplified features contrast with the detailed rendering of his lantern and the coin. Note how the artist juxtaposes the flat, graphic quality of the text with the attempt at three-dimensionality in the figure and coin, creating a visual tension. The muted color palette, dominated by browns and tans, is punctuated by the bright turquoise accents and the warm glow of the lantern. This tension between representation and abstraction challenges fixed meanings and invites us to consider the cultural values and semiotic codes that informed both the production and reception of this commercial art. The visual elements come together to create a complex interplay of form and function, inviting ongoing interpretation.