Jessie Story, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-7) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

This small card was made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. around the turn of the 20th century, part of a series intended to promote Duke Cigarettes. It's a printed image, an inexpensive and repeatable medium quite different from painting or sculpture. Its availability, and small size meant it could be slipped into cigarette packs, acting as a token of exchange between the manufacturer and consumer. The image is of Jessie Story, one of many actors and actresses that were produced for the series. The sepia tone and the printing quality gives the image a soft, somewhat romantic appearance, aligning the consumer of the cigarettes with the perceived sophistication and glamour of the entertainment industry. Of course, there's also a strong relationship between tobacco products and the labour required to produce them. Consider this card a symbol of a much wider economic system, blurring the boundaries between art, advertising and commerce.