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

This late 19th century card featuring Adelaide Neilson was printed by W. Duke, Sons & Co. using chromolithography, a process involving multiple layers of ink applied from lithographic stones or plates. The material itself - thin, mass-produced card stock - speaks volumes. It's a humble substrate for an image of a famous actress, ennobled by the "colors of Union Yacht Club". Note how the nautical theme, executed with metallic inks, elevates the entire composition. This card wasn't meant for a gallery; it was a promotional item distributed with Honest Long Cut Tobacco. The company used such cards to boost sales and connect with a broad consumer base. What's fascinating is how this commercial context doesn't diminish the image’s appeal. Instead, it highlights the blurred lines between fine art and popular culture, craft and industrial production. The material, the process, and the intended audience all contribute to our understanding of its historical value.