Card Number 503, Miss McKenzie, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-7) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

This small card was produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co., around the turn of the 20th century, as part of a series to promote Duke Cigarettes. It features Miss McKenzie, likely a stage actress, whose fame was used to market cigarettes to a growing consumer base. These cards reflect the complex intersections of entertainment, advertising, and identity during a time of rapid industrial and social change. The depiction of Miss McKenzie, with her elaborate hat and veiled face, is a study in the visual construction of femininity and celebrity. It highlights how women were both idealized and commodified. These cards offer a glimpse into the cultural values of the time, revealing both the opportunities and constraints faced by women in the public sphere. The circulation of her image also speaks to the rise of mass media and its impact on shaping social norms and aspirations. This card invites us to consider the ways in which images of women, like Miss McKenzie, were used to sell products and reinforce prevailing ideas about gender and class.