Mlle. Saracco, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1890 - 1895

This promotional card, dating from the late 19th century, was printed by W. Duke, Sons & Co., using photography and offset lithography. Far from traditional artistic media, these were the tools of mass production. Consider the material: thin card stock, coated with a sepia-toned image of Mlle. Saracco, a performer of the time. Note the contrast between the high-cultural subject matter - an actress, striking a pose - and the low-cultural application, as a giveaway inserted in cigarette packs. The card’s manufacture speaks volumes about the era's industrialization and consumer culture. Photography allowed for the easy reproduction of images, while advances in printing made mass distribution possible. This wasn't about artistic expression, but about brand visibility and customer loyalty. The card is also a little document of the labor involved, from the photographer and the printing workers, to the very farmers cultivating tobacco. So, next time you light up, remember this little card, and the complex web of making that it represents. It invites us to reconsider what we value, and how everyday objects can reflect broader social forces.