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

This small promotional card, *Happy New Year 1890,* was created by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company. The figure is framed by a backdrop of soft stippled yellows and a garland of holly, creating a symmetrical composition. The playful figure’s attire and presentation of a boar's head introduce a theatrical, almost carnivalesque atmosphere. The dark and light contrasts of the figure's striped tunic draw attention, with the green hose adding a discordant note, challenging conventional notions of beauty. The boar's head, traditionally a symbol of feasting, seems out of place in this festive greeting, disrupting the expected harmony of the New Year's theme. The card destabilizes our expectations, inviting a reevaluation of cultural norms associated with celebration. The tension between the joyous greeting and the unsettling imagery prompts us to question whether the card is merely a harmless promotion, or if it serves as a subtle commentary on the contradictions inherent in societal traditions.