Maude Bannister as "The Garden Fairy," from the series Fancy Dress Ball Costumes (N73) for Duke brand cigarettes 1889

This small card, made by W. Duke, Sons & Co., is from a series of cigarette cards called "Fancy Dress Ball Costumes". In the late 19th century, dressing up for themed parties, like fancy dress balls, was an important way for people to explore identity and social roles. Here, Maude Bannister is dressed as "The Garden Fairy," with a watering can atop her head. These costumes allowed people to imagine themselves differently, temporarily stepping outside the strict rules of society. Yet, the image also reflects the constraints of its time. The "fairy" costume reinforces gendered associations between women and nature, framing them as delicate and ornamental. The card also speaks to a growing consumer culture, where even personal identity could be packaged and sold. Looking at this image, I wonder, what kind of fantasies did these costumes enable, and for whom? How did they both challenge and reinforce the social norms of the time?