Caricatured Chilean figure, 1 Escudo, from the series Coins of All Nations (N72, variation 2) for Duke brand cigarettes

Art Historical Context

This charming chromolithograph, titled *Caricatured Chilean Figure, 1 Escudo*, is a tiny gem from W. Duke, Sons & Co.'s 1889 "Coins of Nations" series (N, variation 2). as a promotional insert for Duke brand cigarettes, it depicts a stylized, exaggerated Chilean man holding a 1 Escudo coin, the era's fascination with global currencies and exotic cultures. These cards were wildly popular collectibles, distributed in cigarette packs to entice smokers—especially young collectors—and boost brand loyalty during the booming American tobacco industry. Printed in vibrant commercial color lithography on a diminutive sheet (just 2¾ x 1½ inches), the piece showcases the medium's power for mass reproduction of eye-catching, detailed imagery at low cost. Chromolithography allowed for rich hues and fine lines, mimicking fine art while serving everyday commerce. As ephemera, it reflects late 19th-century advertising ingenuity, blending caricature's playful exaggeration with numismatic education. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, thanks to the Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, this card offers a window into Gilded Age consumer culture and international curiosity. A delightful snapshot of history in your pocket!

About the Artist

W. Duke, Sons & Co. · 1870–1920

**W. Duke, Sons & Co.: Pioneers of Chromolithographic Trade Card Art** W. Duke, Sons & Co., an American tobacco manufacturer, emerged from the entrepreneurial vision of Washington Duke (1820–1905) and his sons in Durham, North Carolina. After the Civil War, Washington abandoned farming in 1874 to join his eldest son, Brodie L. Duke, in the burgeoning tobacco trade, establishing a factory that for...