Lantern, from the Novelties series (N228, Type 4) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

Curator: This is a fascinating little object titled "Lantern, from the Novelties series," created by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company in 1889. It's a graphic art print, part of a series of novelties they produced. The lantern shape and its inset portrait immediately give it a whimsical quality. Editor: Whimsical is right! I’m immediately struck by the strange combination of geometric rigidity in the lantern's form and the softer, more intimate portrait nestled within. The textures are interesting, too—almost a trompe l’oeil effect in miniature. Curator: Absolutely. The portrait evokes a particular kind of youthful, patriotic ideal, doesn’t it? Her striped shirt and jaunty hat—the image feels both earnest and slightly theatrical, calling to mind a particular type of Americana at the end of the 19th century. What I think is most interesting is the objectification of an idea or feeling; to use the young lady as a kind of brand symbol for this object must mean they wanted it to become recognizable on the basis of feeling rather than visual likeness alone. Editor: You're right about the patriotism. But more specifically I also see this odd duality – a clash of formality and charm, visible not just in the imagery but in the printing itself. There is meticulous craftsmanship within a decidedly mass-produced form and the fact that the colors are muted in many shades. It reflects its status as a commercial novelty, designed to catch the eye, but it does that through contrast. Curator: Precisely, this kind of commercial art often acts as a powerful mirror, reflecting collective desires and aspirations, filtered through symbols available to society, in this case patriotism and domesticity. We see how everyday objects are invested with layers of cultural meaning through the use of portraits that are simultaneously idealized and mass-produced, something deeply relevant in our era of memes. The visual effect is a strong connection to an established past made newly current. Editor: So, it seems these tobacco novelties worked to communicate not just utility, but something far more resonant and complex, culturally, than one might expect. And analyzing that complexity through art techniques is important for appreciating all levels of communication. Curator: Indeed. The Lantern’s power lies in its ability to conjure complex emotions about identity and aspiration through relatively simple graphic forms, continuing an ancient lineage of iconographic communication into the modern age.