Card Number 318, Miss Reynolds, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-5) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cameo Cigarettes 1880s

This is Card Number 318, Miss Reynolds, from the Actors and Actresses series, created by W. Duke, Sons & Co. The sepia tones and small scale contribute to an intimate viewing experience. The composition is carefully structured. Miss Reynolds is centrally placed, her body angled to create dynamic lines. The drape of the shawl across her body intersects with the background landscape, blurring the distinction between the figure and setting, and creating a unified image. Notice how her gaze meets ours, an awareness of the viewer which engages us directly. This card, used to promote Cameo Cigarettes, reveals much about the cultural codes of its time. As a semiotic sign, Miss Reynolds represents more than a portrait; she embodies ideals of beauty and celebrity, commodified for consumption. The card itself becomes a signifier, its value extending beyond mere advertising to reflect broader cultural values. Consider how the interplay of form and function operates here. This is not just an image, but a meticulously constructed message.