Saint Valentine's Day, United States, from the Holidays series (N80) for Duke brand cigarettes 1890

This chromolithograph, "St. Valentine's Day," is part of the "Holidays" series created by W. Duke, Sons & Co. for Duke brand cigarettes in 1890. The image depicts a woman dressed in a fashionable gown, holding a letter. This card, measuring just 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 inches, exemplifies the trend of using colorful imagery on cigarette cards to promote the brand. The card's aesthetic is typical of the late 19th-century, reflecting the era's fascination with sentimental images and romantic themes. Today, the card is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, offering a glimpse into the marketing strategies of the past.