Card Number 600, Miss Jackson, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-3) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This card, featuring Miss Jackson, was created by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as a promotional item for Cross Cut Cigarettes. The sepia-toned photograph, printed on cardstock, reflects a fascinating intersection of entertainment, advertising, and industrial production. Consider the context: mass-produced images like this were churned out to be included in cigarette packs. The photographic process itself involved skilled technicians, but it was the printing and distribution that were truly industrialized, reflecting the burgeoning consumer culture of the late 19th century. The material – a simple card – becomes a vehicle for commerce, transforming Miss Jackson into a brand ambassador. The image also hints at social dynamics. Actresses like Miss Jackson were becoming celebrities, their images highly sought after. This card, in its humble way, democratized access to fame, while simultaneously reinforcing the link between pleasure, consumption, and celebrity culture. It reminds us that even seemingly insignificant objects can reveal much about the social and economic forces at play.