Card Number 562, Amy Gordon, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-7) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

Card Number 562, Amy Gordon, is a promotional card made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. sometime between 1870 and 1920 to advertise Duke Cigarettes. It's a small card, but it opens up questions about identity, gender, and labor. During this era, the commodification of actresses like Amy Gordon became common, with their likenesses used to sell everything from cigarettes to soap. It was a time when women, especially those in the public eye, were both celebrated and scrutinized, their images carefully managed and marketed. Cards like these provided a sense of intimacy with performers, but also turned them into objects of consumption. The card reflects the societal pressures placed on women to maintain a certain image. Amy Gordon's direct gaze and demure pose speak to the expectations of female performers at the time. This small card encapsulates a complex relationship between performer, consumer, and the evolving role of women in society.