George I, King of Greece, from the Rulers, Flags, and Coats of Arms series (N126-1) issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co.

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century ephemera with this charming commercial color lithograph from 1888, featuring *George I, King of*, part of the *Rulers, Flags, Coats of Arms* (N126-1) issued by W. Duke Sons & Co. Measuring just 2½ × 4⅜ inches, this pocket-sized print captures the monarch in regal portraiture, likely surrounded by symbolic flags and coats of arms that evoke national pride. Produced by the prominent American tobacco firm, it served as a collectible insert in cigarette packages, blending education with marketing in an era when such trade cards fueled a collecting craze. George I, a Danish prince who ruled Greece from 1863 to 1913, symbolized the young kingdom's modernizing monarchy amid its struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire. This lithograph reflects the era's fascination with European royalty and emerging nationalism, using vivid chromolithography—a cutting-edge technique that layered colors for striking, affordable reproductions—to make global leaders accessible to everyday Americans. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, this piece highlights the cultural role of ephemera: humble yet historically rich artifacts that document power, identity, and commerce. A delightful glimpse into Victorian-era collecting!

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...