Card Number 43, Belle Urquehart, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This card was made by W. Duke Sons & Co. around the turn of the 20th century as an advertisement for Cross Cut Cigarettes. The photographic image of actress Belle Urquehart was printed using photolithography, a mechanical process that allowed for mass production. Photolithography enabled manufacturers to create attractive, collectible cards that promoted their goods to a broad audience. The design, the choice of subject, and the printing method all reflect the commercial goals of the company. The card's small size and the nature of its production speak to its intended use: a small token meant to be collected and traded. It would have been inserted into cigarette packs to encourage repeat purchases. Unlike a unique painting or sculpture, this card’s value lies in its reproducibility, and its role in a larger system of branding and consumerism. By examining the materials and production techniques, we can appreciate how this seemingly simple card was part of a complex network of industry, advertising, and popular culture.