U.S. Sloop Atlanta, from the Naval Vessels of the World series (N226) issued by Kinney Bros.

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century advertising with *U.S. Sloop*, a charming commercial color lithograph from theNaval Vessels of the* series (N226), issued by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company in 188. These pocket-sized cards (just 1 1/2 × 2 3/4 inches) were tucked into cigarette packs as promotional inserts, sparking a collecting craze among enthusiasts. Produced via chromolithography—a technique that layered vibrant colors through multiple stone printing plates—these ephemera captured global naval might in vivid detail, reflecting America's growing fascination with maritime power during an era of imperial expansion. The depicted U.S. Sloop *Atlanta* symbolizes the might of the U.S. Navy, a real vessel that served in post-Civil War fleets. Kinney Brothers' series highlighted international warships, blending education with commerce to appeal to a public enthralled by technological prowess and national pride. Though not fine art, these prints showcase the precision and bold hues of commercial lithography, making complex machinery accessible and exciting. Today, this card from The Jefferson R. Burdick Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art preserves a slice of everyday history—where tobacco marketing met naval glory. A tiny treasure reminding us how popular culture immortalized the age of ironclads.

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...