Card Number 386, Grace Stewart, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-7) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

Card number 386, Grace Stewart, from the Actors and Actresses series, was created around the turn of the 20th century by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as a promotional item for Duke Cigarettes. These cards offer a lens into the cultural values and marketing strategies of the Gilded Age. Grace Stewart, an actress, is depicted in costume, a representation that both celebrates and commodifies her identity as a performer. The image is not merely a portrait; it's an advertisement, blurring the lines between art, entertainment, and commerce. The objectification of actresses on these cards reflects the broader societal norms regarding women in the public eye, particularly within the entertainment industry. What does it mean to see this woman packaged and sold alongside cigarettes? The card reminds us of the complex ways in which identity, labor, and consumption were intertwined in the early days of mass marketing.