Miss Buroughs, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1890 - 1895

Curator: Let's take a look at this portrait card, “Miss Buroughs, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8),” dating from about 1890 to 1895. It was a promotional item, part of a set issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to advertise Duke Cigarettes. Editor: She seems lost in thought, or perhaps just a little world-weary? There’s something quite touching in her eyes, that hints at an intriguing story lurking beyond the carefully posed surface. It almost seems to whisper secrets, don’t you think? Curator: Absolutely. These cards were mass-produced through photographic prints and circulated widely. What's interesting is how they democratized celebrity, making images of famous actresses accessible to a broad public, fostering a new kind of visual culture. Editor: You’re right; it is sort of radical. But think about it, the soft blurring and faded tones lend this the feeling of an antique dream. This soft focus, for me, enhances the romanticism of the portrait; the details lost become almost irrelevant compared to that wistful emotion in her expression. Curator: And let's not forget the implications for women. Actresses, by being publicly promoted in such media, gained unprecedented levels of fame, potentially empowering, yet simultaneously, subject to the gaze and desires of mass culture, influencing societal perceptions of beauty and female roles. Editor: So a conflicted, complex thing: her individual story lost somewhere amidst those societal forces at play. Makes one feel somewhat empathetic, really, pondering the fragile, shimmering boundary between person and product back then. Curator: Precisely. This small, commercially driven object gives us insight into the fascinating intersections of entertainment, advertising, and social values during a pivotal period in American history. It demonstrates the cultural significance and impact of photography as a new method for marketing products to broader audiences, using iconic personalities as brand ambassadors. Editor: Well, looking closer, that's more than a mere glimpse from bygone times; it almost felt like a reflection. Thank you!