Miss Reynolds in Colors of Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club, from the Yacht Colors of the World series (N140) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1890

This lithograph was produced around 1900 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco. It belongs to a series that features women associated with yacht clubs around the world. The card presents a portrait of Miss Reynolds, adorned in the colors of the Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club. This was a time when advertising was becoming deeply entwined with social identity and consumer culture. By associating their product with yachting, a sport of the wealthy elite, Duke sought to elevate the status of tobacco consumption. The image of Miss Reynolds is both an advertisement and a symbol of aspiration. Her clothing subtly references maritime culture, while also reinforcing conventional notions of femininity. These cards were immensely popular, offering a glimpse into a world of glamour and status. They also reflect the complex relationships between commerce, gender, and social class in the late 19th century. Consider how Miss Reynolds' image, carefully crafted for a mass audience, invites us to reflect on our own desires for belonging.