Happy New Year, from the New Years 1890 series (N227) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889 - 1890

Editor: This is a delightful little print entitled "Happy New Year, from the New Years 1890 series," created by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company. The figure reminds me of some kind of town crier or a character from a play. What is your interpretation of this artwork? Curator: I think what’s really fascinating is the piece's original function as a trade card, issued by a tobacco company. Trade cards like this circulated widely, acting almost as miniature advertisements or collectibles. How do you think that context changes how we view the imagery? Editor: That's a great point. Knowing that it was used for advertising definitely makes me think about the visual strategies used to grab attention. I wonder why they chose this particular character to represent New Year’s greetings? Curator: The clothing, inspired by an earlier period, potentially creates a sense of timeless tradition, aligning the product with positive associations from the past, selling an ideal version of 'heritage.' Why associate tobacco with this kind of image? What feelings might that create for people in 1890? Editor: It is interesting to view this work as a mechanism of consumer culture. By tying their product to this kind of festivity, they're imbuing tobacco with connotations of celebration and happiness. It’s cleverly manipulative, in retrospect. Curator: Precisely! It highlights the complex relationship between art, commerce, and the construction of social values during that era. The image’s visual message and the commercial motives behind it are intertwined, providing a valuable insight into that period. Editor: Thanks, I will think twice about the original intentions behind art production! Curator: Absolutely, I'm taking away a fresher awareness of how historical events and business practices define social contexts!