Nanine Palmer as "What's the Ante," from the series Fancy Dress Ball Costumes (N73) for Duke brand cigarettes 1889

This small chromolithograph, made around 1900 by W. Duke, Sons & Co., is one of a series of promotional cards for Duke brand cigarettes. Chromolithography allowed for mass production, combining artistry and industrial efficiency. The print features Nanine Palmer dressed as "What's the Ante," a costume adorned with playing cards. Lithography enabled the relatively cheap creation of vibrant colors and intricate details, resulting in an appealing image. This was crucial for attracting consumers in a competitive market. The mass-produced card reflects the wider culture of consumption and leisure that was enabled by industrial capitalism, and how these were used in promotional material. The cards were designed to be collected, traded, and inserted into cigarette packs to promote the brand. The convergence of art, commerce, and popular culture in this small card blurs the traditional boundaries between fine art and everyday life. It serves as a fascinating lens through which to view the social and economic forces shaping artistic expression at the turn of the century.