George Washington's Birthday, United States, from the Holidays series (N80) for Duke brand cigarettes

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th American advertising with *George Washington's Birthday, United States*, tiny gem from the Holidays series (N80) by W. Duke, & Co. in collaboration with George S. & Sons. Created in 1890, this commercial color lithograph measures just 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 inches, designed as an insert for Duke brand cigarette packs. These pocket-sized cards were wildly popular, collecting like trading cards while promoting tobacco products and stiffening packages during an era of booming consumerism. Chromolithography, the medium here, brought vivid colors and intricate details to mass-produced prints, making patriotic holidays accessible and celebratory. Likely featuring women in festive attire—evoking communal joy for Washington's Birthday, a cherished observance of national pride—this ephemera captures the Gilded Age's blend of commerce and culture. It reflects how businesses tapped into American identity, from post-Civil War unity to emerging holiday traditions. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department as part of The Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, this card highlights the artistry of everyday objects. Burdick's gift preserves these snapshots of history, reminding us how small prints fueled collecting fads and shaped popular patriotism. A delightful window into Victorian-era whimsy!

About the Artist

W. Duke, Sons & Co.|George S. Harris & Sons · 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...