[Actress wearing fringed scarf], from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1890 - 1895

This small promotional card from around 1870, produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes, captures an actress in a staged, theatrical pose. These cards were part of a larger cultural phenomenon, reflecting the rise of consumer culture and the burgeoning entertainment industry. Actresses, like the one depicted, were becoming increasingly popular figures, their images widely circulated and consumed. The actress's ornate costume and poised expression speak to the constructed nature of celebrity. Her identity as an individual is secondary to her role as a performer, a symbol of glamour manufactured for public consumption. Consider the emotional impact of such images on individuals, especially women, who were both drawn to and perhaps felt alienated by these idealized representations. These cards offer a glimpse into the complex interplay of identity, performance, and commercialism in the late 19th century. They are a reminder of how images shape not just our perceptions but also our desires and aspirations.