Steamship Alaska, Guion Line, from the Ocean and River Steamers series (N83) for Duke brand cigarettes 1887

This small chromolithograph was made by W. Duke and Sons Company, around the turn of the century, as an advertisement for Duke brand cigarettes. The printmaking process was crucial to its impact. Chromolithography allowed for mass production of colorful images, making them accessible to a wide audience. The process involved creating a series of lithographic stones or plates, one for each color, which were then printed in succession to build up the final image. Look closely and you can see a high degree of detail and precision, achieved through skilled craftsmanship. There’s the depiction of the steamship, the fashionable lady, and the flags. All elements showcase the technical capabilities of the printing process. As a trade card, this chromolithograph reflects the growing consumer culture of the late 19th century, as well as the links between advertising, industrial production, and the dissemination of images. It highlights the material culture of everyday life, showing how art and commerce were intertwined in shaping popular taste and consumer habits.