Card Number 596, Mrs. A. Maddick, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-3) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This is a trade card of Mrs. A. Maddick, printed by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes in late nineteenth-century America. These cards, collected and traded by adults and children alike, offer a fascinating snapshot of the era's values and aspirations. The image of Mrs. Maddick, likely a popular actress of the time, reflects the burgeoning celebrity culture and the appeal of the theater. Note that the actress is wearing a rather large hat. How might we read this? Is it an attempt to portray her as confident? The commercial nature of the card speaks to the rise of mass consumerism and the innovative marketing strategies employed by companies like Duke. By associating their product with beauty, fame, and entertainment, they sought to create a desirable lifestyle brand. To fully understand the card's significance, one can delve into the history of advertising, tobacco consumption, and popular entertainment of the time. Researching Mrs. Maddick's career and the Duke company's marketing tactics can further illuminate the cultural context in which this seemingly simple image was created and circulated.