Card Number 243, Jennie Hurd, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This is card number 243, Jennie Hurd, made around 1900 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as a promotional item for Cross Cut Cigarettes. Here, Jennie Hurd is depicted in theatrical attire, seated on a rocky surface. The attire and pose have echoes of classical depictions of nymphs and goddesses, figures deeply rooted in cultural memory. The image evokes a sense of allure and spectacle intended to capture the consumer’s eye. This can be seen as a modern echo of the Venus Pudica pose—a symbol of modesty and beauty that can be traced back to ancient Roman sculpture. The pose and presentation are reinvented here, shifting from classical ideals to serve commercial interests. This reflects how archetypes can be adapted and repurposed across different eras. These images tap into deep, often subconscious desires and associations, subtly influencing cultural values and behaviors. They surface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.