Annie Summerville, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-3) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

Editor: Here we have an albumen print from the 1880s titled "Annie Summerville, from the Actors and Actresses series," created by W. Duke, Sons & Co. It seems to be a portrait, but also has elements that almost feel like genre painting... sort of a scene captured in a moment. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Oh, this little gem transports me! It's more than just a portrait; it’s a window into a world obsessed with celebrity and burgeoning consumer culture. Duke's Sons & Co. cleverly used popular actresses to hawk cigarettes, a practice I find both fascinating and slightly scandalous. Don't you think it's intriguing how they blurred the lines between art, advertising, and celebrity? Editor: It is! It feels like a very early version of influencer marketing. It's also interesting that they made it feel 'artsy,' like a drawing, even though it’s photography. Curator: Precisely! The sepia tone lends it a certain air of antiquated charm, doesn’t it? And Annie Summerville herself, caught in that pose... what do you make of her costume, the slightly theatrical backdrop? I see a dancer maybe. Editor: Yes! I see some sort of dancer. The backdrop does feel staged. I almost wonder if it's a reference to a specific role she played? Or is it simply to add a bit of…drama to the advertisement? Curator: Ah, the million-dollar question! Perhaps a bit of both? Either way, the details encourage us to consider Annie not just as a face, but as a character. And what's clever about it is that this image captures something essential about the Gilded Age - this blend of ambition, performance, and a hunger for recognition that remains compelling even today. Editor: This makes me see this tiny picture in a whole new light. I initially thought it was just an old photograph, but understanding its purpose and context has deepened its story and gives insight into its subject and culture. Curator: Indeed. Sometimes the most unassuming objects have the biggest stories to tell!