Highland Fling, from National Dances (N225, Type 1) issued by Kinney Bros.

Art Historical Context

Step into the lively world of 19th-century Americana with *Highland Fling, National Dances (N, Type 1)*, a vibrant commercial color lithograph produced by the Kinney Brothers Company in 1889 This petite card (just 2¾ × 1½ inches) captures the spirited energy of the Scottish Highland Fling, a high-kicking folk dance traditionally performed in kilts. Featuring women in dynamic motion, it evokes the joy of cultural performance, blending European heritage with American popular culture. Issued as inserts in cigarette packs, these cards were part of a collectible series promoting Kinney's tobacco products during a booming era for advertising ephemera. Chromolithography, the printing technique used here, allowed for bold, multi-layered colors and fine details at low cost, making art accessible to everyday consumers. Part of the Jefferson R. Burdick Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, it highlights how commerce fueled visual culture, turning pocket-sized prints into coveted keepsakes. Today, this piece offers a window into Victorian-era fascination with "national dances," celebrating global traditions amid America's melting pot. Its preservation underscores the artistic merit of everyday objects, reminding us how dance and delight bridged leisure and commerce.

About the Artist

Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company · 1869–2011

**Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company (1869–2011)** Founded around 1869 by Francis Sherwood Kinney in New York City, the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company quickly rose to prominence in the burgeoning American cigarette industry. Francis, a pioneering tobacco manufacturer, experimented with hand-rolled cigarettes using blends of Turkish and Virginia tobacco, scaling to mass production by employing Europ...