Card Number 191, Lizzie Harold, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-5) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cameo Cigarettes 1880s

This albumen silver print, “Card Number 191, Lizzie Harold,” was produced around 1888 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as a promotional item for Cameo Cigarettes. Dominating the composition is the figure of actress Lizzie Harold, posed casually against a rustic fence. Notice how the sepia tones create a soft, almost dreamlike atmosphere, while the sharp focus on Harold's face draws the eye. The composition is carefully structured: Harold's body forms a diagonal line that intersects with the horizontal fence, creating a dynamic tension. The image is framed to emphasize the subject's poised demeanor and theatrical attire, reflective of the semiotic codes of celebrity and performance of that era. These cards were a form of popular ephemera, using images of actresses to blur the lines between commerce, art, and celebrity culture. The formal elements – the carefully constructed pose, the soft lighting, and the printing technique – come together to create a carefully crafted image that conveys the values of beauty, fame, and consumerism.