Annie Sommerville in Colors of Hoboken Yacht Club, from the Yacht Colors of the World series (N140) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1890

This small promotional card, printed by W. Duke Sons & Co. in the late 19th century, presents Annie Sommerville in the attire of the Hoboken Yacht Club, as part of a series advertising Honest Long Cut Tobacco. The image invites us to consider the intertwined social spheres of leisure, commerce, and gender roles of the period. Yacht clubs, like the one in Hoboken, were exclusive social institutions, typically dominated by affluent men. The inclusion of a woman, Annie Sommerville, in their colors is a curious and interesting marketing strategy. Was Annie a member? A commodified image? What did it mean to portray a woman in this context, and how did it influence the tobacco brand's appeal? The presence of nautical symbols like anchors, ropes, and a sailboat evoke a sense of maritime adventure and leisure. By exploring archives, club records, and advertising history, we can uncover the complex layers of meaning embedded in this seemingly simple commercial image. The value of art lies not just in its aesthetic qualities, but also in its capacity to reveal the social and institutional frameworks of its time.