Card Number 57, Billie Barlow, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-4) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cameo Cigarettes 1880s

This small promotional card featuring actress Billie Barlow was produced around 1900 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to advertise Cameo Cigarettes. Printed on paper, this card is one of a series portraying actors and actresses, designed to be collected. While seemingly simple, the mass production of these cards reflects significant shifts in industrial processes and consumer culture. The rise of lithography allowed for the cheap, rapid creation of colorful images, while innovations in printing technology made mass distribution possible. This little card served as a token in a larger transaction, incentivizing consumption, and fostering a culture of collecting and trading. The image itself, depicting Billie Barlow in costume, speaks to the burgeoning entertainment industry. Yet, the card's primary purpose was promotional, blurring the lines between art, advertising, and commodity. It embodies the dynamics of labor, politics, and consumption that shaped the turn of the 20th century. Appreciating the convergence of materials, methods, and context is essential to understand the full impact of this small, everyday object.