Card Number 585, Helen Standish, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-3) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

Card Number 585, Helen Standish, is a promotional card created by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as part of their Actors and Actresses series for Cross Cut Cigarettes. These cards emerged during an era of industrial expansion and burgeoning consumer culture, reflecting the growing popularity of both tobacco and the entertainment industry. The image of Helen Standish, adorned in classical garb, speaks to the idealized portrayals of women and femininity in the late 19th century. These images served to both elevate and commodify women as objects of beauty and desire, aligning them with the consumption of tobacco products. Despite her undeniable presence, Standish’s identity is largely subsumed by her role as a marketing tool. This leaves us questioning the narratives of women whose likenesses were so casually circulated, yet whose personal stories often remain untold. How do such images affect our understanding of their place in history?