Seashell, from the Miniature Novelties series (N120) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1891

"Seashell" is a trade card from the "Miniature Novelties" series created by W. Duke, Sons & Co. in 1891 to promote their Honest Long Cut Tobacco brand. This charming card features two young girls, each framed within a seashell. The card, measuring 2 1/2 × 4 1/4 inches, exemplifies the late-19th-century trend of using sentimental imagery to advertise products, particularly tobacco. The delicate artistry and use of pastel colors contribute to the card's appealing aesthetic. The Metropolitan Museum of Art houses this piece, offering viewers a glimpse into the captivating world of advertising from the Gilded Age.