Whisk broom, from the Novelties series (N228, Type 3) issued by Kinney Bros.

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th American advertising with *Whisk Broom* from Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company's Novelties series (228, Type 3), issued in 1889 This petite chromolithograph, measuring just 1 9/16 inches in diameter, was tucked into cigarette packages as a collectible insert, enticing smokers—especially men—with whimsical depictions of everyday novelties. Produced by the innovative Kinney Bros., a leading tobacco firm, it exemplifies the era's booming trade card culture, where colorful ephemera turned mundane products into coveted treasures. Crafted via commercial color lithography—a breakthrough technique allowing mass production of vivid, multi-hued images on a budget—this print captures the charm of domestic life, likely featuring a woman with a whisk broom, as suggested by its tags. Chromolithography's layered inks created lifelike details and eye-catching appeal, making these cards both art and marketing genius. At a time when women were often idealized in advertising, such imagery bridged household utility with commercial allure. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection—a landmark gift of over 30,000 cards—this tiny gem highlights how tobacco companies fueled early pop culture collecting. It reminds us of Gilded Age innovation, where even a simple broom became a portal to nostalgia and commerce. (198 words)

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...