Lilly Claus in Colors of Royal Squadron Yacht Club, from the Yacht Colors of the World series (N140) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 1890s tobacco advertising with *Lilly Claus in Colors Royal Squadron Yacht Club*, gem from the *Yacht of the World* seriesN140). Produced by W. Duke, & Co. to promote their Honest Long Cut Tobacco, this commercial color lithograph measures just 4 × 2½ inches, perfect as a collectible insert in cigarette packages. It captures a poised portrait of a woman, Lilly Claus, adorned in the distinctive flags and colors of the prestigious Squadron Yacht Club, ev the glamour of elite maritime leisure. Chromolithography, the era's breakthrough printing technique, shines here through its bold, layered hues that brought yacht burgees to life with striking realism and affordability. These ephemera prints were more than mere ads—they fueled a collecting craze among Americans, blending nautical pride with Gilded Age opulence. The Royal Squadron, a symbol of British yachting royalty, underscores the series' global scope, celebrating international sailing culture amid America's booming consumer trends. Preserved in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, this tiny treasure highlights how everyday commerce sparked artistic innovation and cultural exchange. A delightful snapshot of history's playful side!

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...