Happy New Year, from the New Years 1890 series (N227) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889 - 1890

This chromolithograph titled "Happy New Year," was one of a series of New Year's cards produced around 1890 by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company. These cards were collected and traded, much like baseball cards today, and were inserted into cigarette packs as a value-added collectible. The image on this card depicts a child in winter garb standing in the snow, glancing up at the clock above a closed building. The text above the door reads, “Will Open at 12 P.M.” The bag the child carries is emblazoned with the year "1890". The child's posture and gaze evoke a sense of anticipation and longing. The artist prompts us to consider the experience of waiting – waiting for a moment of joy or transition, waiting for the promise of a new year to be fulfilled. The tradition of New Year's cards speaks to a universal human desire for renewal, hope, and connection. This chromolithograph reminds us of the simple joys and shared experiences that bind us together, across generations.