Herald, from the Occupations of Women series (N502) for Frishmuth's Tobacco Company

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th advertising with *Herald*, a tiny gem from the *Occupations of Women* seriesN502), produced by Frishmuth's Tobacco Company in 1889. This commercial color lithograph, measuring just 2¾ x 1½ inches, was likely a collectible insert tucked into cigarette packs, part of a popular trend where tobacco brands lured customers with beautifully illustrated ephemera. Depicting a poised woman in the unconventional role of a herald—perhaps announcing news or proclamations—it captures the era's fascination with women stepping into diverse professions. Chromolithography, the medium here, was a breakthrough technique blending multiple layers of colored inks to create rich, realistic images at scale, making high-quality art accessible to the masses. Frishmuth's series reflected shifting gender norms during the Gilded Age, when women's expanding roles in society—from teachers to athletes—were both celebrated and commercialized in trade cards. These pocket-sized prints fueled a collecting craze, blending artistry with marketing savvy. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department as part of the Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, *Herald* offers a window into how everyday objects documented cultural change. Its delicate scale belies its big ideas—proof that even a tobacco insert could herald progress.