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

This small card featuring Mlle. Bosc was produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co., sometime between 1870 and 1920, as part of a series of promotional items for Duke Cigarettes. At the time, these cards were a popular marketing strategy. By including images of actresses, sports figures, or other celebrities in cigarette packs, tobacco companies sought to appeal to a wide audience. What we see in this picture is an example of the commercialization of celebrity culture. The image of Mlle. Bosc, a performer, becomes intertwined with the promotion of a product, blurring the lines between art, entertainment, and commerce. These cards are not just about selling cigarettes; they are artifacts of a particular social and economic moment. Research into the history of advertising, popular culture, and the tobacco industry can reveal a lot about the values and priorities of this time. Ultimately, the meaning of an artwork like this is contingent on its social and institutional context.