Geraldine Ulmer as "The Huntress," from the series Fancy Dress Ball Costumes (N73) for Duke brand cigarettes 1889

This small card, printed around 1900 by W. Duke Sons & Co, features actress Geraldine Ulmer costumed as “The Huntress.” It was made using chromolithography, a printing process that allowed for vibrant colors and mass production. What strikes me is the relationship between the image and its intended use. It was slipped into packs of Duke brand cigarettes, a small gift to encourage brand loyalty. The card’s glossy surface and bright hues reflect the industrial processes and the consumer culture of the time. This was a period of intense industrialization, and items like these blurred the lines between art, advertising, and everyday life. The image’s content, a glamorous actress in costume, stands in stark contrast to the labor involved in both tobacco production and the making of these cards. The attention to detail afforded to the image speaks volumes about the values of the Gilded Age, where artistry and industry converged in unexpected ways.