Sarah Jewett as "The Opera," from the series Fancy Dress Ball Costumes (N73) for Duke brand cigarettes

Art Historical Context

In the late 19th century, American tobacco companies like W. Duke Sons & Co. revolutionized by inserting colorful collectible cards into cigarette packs sparking a craze among enthusiasts. This petite chromolithograph, *Sarah Jewett as " Opera"* from the Fancy Dress Ball Costumes seriesN73), captures actress Sarah Jewett in an elaborate costume evoking operatic grandeur—think flowing gowns, feathers, and dramatic flair perfect for Victorian-era fancy dress balls. in 1889 by Knapp & Company, its tiny dimensions (just 2¾ x 1½ inches) made it ideal for pocket-sized collecting. Chromolithography, the era's breakthrough in affordable color printing, allowed vibrant hues and fine details to shine on cheap paper, blending commercial savvy with artistic appeal. Part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, this ephemera highlights women's roles in theater and high society, where actresses like Jewett embodied fantasy and elegance. Today, it offers a glimpse into Gilded Age advertising, fashion, and pop culture, reminding us how everyday vices fueled artistic innovation.

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...