Schooner Yacht, from the Types of Vessels series (N139) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1889

Editor: This is "Schooner Yacht," a print made in 1889 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. What strikes me is how delicate the watercolor and colored pencil work is, almost like a fashion plate. What story does this image tell you? Curator: It's fascinating to see this image within the context of late 19th-century advertising. W. Duke, Sons & Co., a tobacco company, produced these "Types of Vessels" as collectible cards. So, we need to think about how this image, seemingly a simple depiction of a yacht, was designed to circulate within a consumer culture and how it might speak to aspirations of wealth and leisure. Do you think that a schooner yacht says something particular in comparison to say, a steamboat, which also was often shown? Editor: Good point. The schooner implies a different kind of luxury than, say, a steamship – less about industrial power, more about recreation and elegance. Did the act of collecting these cards create some social stratification or a specific kind of consumer culture? Curator: Absolutely. Collecting became a popular pastime, fueled by mass production and marketing. These cards, included with tobacco purchases, encouraged brand loyalty and the development of shared cultural knowledge, like different classes. Think about the social dynamics involved: who had access to tobacco, who collected these cards, and what kind of conversations did they spark? Editor: So the image becomes a symbol of social mobility and access, advertised to appeal to specific customers of the tobacco company? Curator: Precisely. The "Schooner Yacht" is not just a pretty picture; it’s a carefully crafted symbol embedded in a network of commerce, class, and aspiration. It highlights the public role of art through everyday objects. Editor: This has really changed how I see this piece! Now I see that it's far more layered than I initially thought. Curator: Exactly! Considering the socio-political environment enriches our appreciation for the historical and cultural significance of art.