Spirits – and a little owl who watches over them – a wonderful set of eight prints featuring the spirits in a whole series of emotions.

This charming vintage illustration was printed on cocktail napkins by Leacock & co, a madeira wine producing company whose history on the island of Madeira in the Atlantic Ocean goes back to 1741.

The company, which established offices in New York in 1924, also imported linen and hired talented artists to create humorous images for napkins and other table items. 

Tastes changed, however. Fewer people had formal dinners at home, and paper napkins replaced linen ones. Department stores, which stocked Leacock linens, closed.

The company went out of business in the 1980s but thankfully, some of its wonderful images survive.

Courtesy Private Collection.

Gallery quality Giclée print on natural white, matte, 100% cotton rag, acid and lignin free archival paper using Epson K3 archival inks. Custom printed with border for matting and framing.

All printed in USA.

Each product is accompanied by a copy of the interior menu where available.