Alma Stanley as "The Fruiteress," from the series Fancy Dress Ball Costumes (N73) for Duke brand cigarettes 1889

This is Alma Stanley as "The Fruiteress," a trade card created by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as part of a series of "Fancy Dress Ball Costumes" to promote Duke brand cigarettes. Trade cards like this one existed in a booming consumer culture, and often depicted actresses and other women in the public eye. The figure of Alma Stanley is framed here within a very specific vision of femininity. Her clothing is prim and modest, yet her costume exoticizes and commodifies her image, turning her into a desirable object. It’s interesting to consider how gender, class, and consumerism intersect here. These trade cards offered a glimpse into a world of glamour and aspiration but also reinforced certain social hierarchies. As a small, mass-produced object intended for circulation, this trade card encapsulates the complex relationship between commerce, identity, and representation in the late 19th century. It's a potent reminder of how images shape our perceptions and desires.