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

This chromolithograph of Marie Burroughs, in the colours of the Danish Yacht Club, was produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as a promotional item for Honest Long Cut Tobacco. The process of chromolithography allowed for the mass production of colorful images. Look at the details, from Marie’s expressive face to the yacht club flag, rendered with precision using multiple lithographic stones, each applying a different color. The industrial process made it possible to create images quickly and cheaply, so they could be included in packets of tobacco. The very materiality of this card—its glossy surface and affordable production—speaks volumes about the culture of mass production and consumption in the late 19th century. This was the era in which advertising started to enter our daily lives. It challenges traditional distinctions between art and commerce, highlighting the role of materials and making in shaping our understanding of value and aesthetics.