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

This card featuring Della Fox comes from a series produced by Duke Sons & Co. around 1900, printed using photogravure, a mechanically printed image. The process begins with a photograph printed onto a copper plate. The plate is then etched with acid, with deeper cuts holding more ink, creating a range of tones in the final print. Photogravure allows for the mass production of images with a high level of detail. This was a popular method for creating advertising cards like this one, which were included in packs of Duke cigarettes. Here, the choice of photogravure speaks to the intersection of art, commerce, and popular culture in the late 19th century. The technique allowed for the distribution of images of famous actresses like Fox to a broad audience, blurring the lines between celebrity, consumerism, and artistic production. It reminds us that even seemingly simple images can reveal complex relationships between materials, making, and the wider world.