Frishmuth's Tobacco Company
Frishmuth's Tobacco Company is recognized in graphic arts history for its brief, focused commissioning of commercial print series, with known artistic activity centering around 1889. The company's output primarily consists of color lithographic prints designed for advertising, often distributed as trade cards or inserts in tobacco products.
The most notable contribution associated with the name is the specific series N502, known collectively as Occupations of Women. This body of work, active during 1889, humorously or critically depicts women in traditionally male-dominated professional roles, reflecting late-Victorian social commentary and graphic design aesthetics. Thirteen specific Frishmuth's Tobacco Company prints from this series are represented in major museum collections. Key titles documented include Bandmaster, Boat Racer, Captain, Door Keeper, and Drummer.
The historical significance of these works is affirmed by their inclusion in institutional archives, such as the extensive holdings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. These high-quality prints provide insight into commercial art practices of the era. Given their age and purpose, much of this material is now considered public domain and available as downloadable artwork for scholarly study and general reference. These scarce Frishmuth's Tobacco Company prints remain essential examples of late nineteenth-century advertising ephemera.
