Actress wearing hat embellished with ribbon and flowers, from Stars of the Stage, Third Series (N131) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1891 - 1892

This small card, dating from the late 19th century, was made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco. It's a chromolithograph, a color printing technique that was revolutionary for its time. The process involves using multiple lithographic stones, one for each color, to create a layered image. Look closely, and you might see how the colors are built up, hatching together to make the full image. The result is a vibrant, almost photographic effect. Cards like this were essentially miniature billboards, tucked into cigarette packs. This one depicts an actress in an elaborate hat, adorned with ribbons and flowers. The image captures the glamour of the stage while subtly advertising tobacco. Chromolithography allowed for mass production and wide distribution of colorful images, impacting advertising, popular culture, and even the art world. It blurred the lines between commercial production and artistry. It is a reminder that even the most seemingly disposable objects can have a rich and complex history.