Card Number 76, Lillian Russell, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-6) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

Card Number 76, Lillian Russell, was printed by W. Duke, Sons & Co. sometime between 1870 and 1920 as a promotional item for Duke Cigarettes. These cards, mass-produced using photo-printing techniques, were included in cigarette packs. This one features the actress Lillian Russell. These cards offer insight into the era's modes of production and consumption. Cigarette companies like Duke were pioneers in using images in mass advertising. The photograph, itself a relatively new technology, allowed for the widespread distribution of images of celebrities like Russell. This speaks to both the democratization of image-making and the rise of celebrity culture, driven by industrial capitalism. In essence, this small card is a reminder of the intricate relationship between art, industry, and society. It compels us to reconsider traditional categories and appreciate the social and economic factors that shape our visual world.