Klipp Fish, from the series Fishers and Fish (N74) for Duke brand cigarettes

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century advertising with *Klipp Fish*, a charming commercial color lithograph from the 1888 series *Fishers and Fish (N)*, produced by W. Duke Sons & Co. and by Knapp & Company. tiny card, measuring just 2¾ × 1⅜ inches, was designed as collectible ephemera inserted into Duke brand cigarette packs, sparking a craze for trading cards among smokers and enthusiasts alike. The tags—women, fishing, fish—hint at a playful scene likely featuring a fisherwoman or a striking depiction of the titular "Klipp Fish," evoking the era's fascination with angling as both sport and livelihood. Chromolithography, the medium here, revolutionized mass printing by layering vibrant colors through multiple lithographic stones, making high-quality illustrations affordable and eye-catching for promotional use. Duke's innovative cards helped the company dominate the tobacco market, blending education on fish species with subtle brand loyalty. Part of the renowned Jefferson R. Burdick Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, this piece preserves a snapshot of Gilded Age commerce and leisure. Today, it reminds us how everyday objects like cigarette cards captured cultural trends, from gender roles in outdoor pursuits to the artistry of advertising. A delightful glimpse into history's smaller treasures!

About the Artist

W. Duke, Sons & Co.|Knapp & Company · 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...