Card Number 47, Miss Patrice, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-6) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

Curator: Here we have a piece titled "Card Number 47, Miss Patrice, from the Actors and Actresses series," produced in the 1880s by W. Duke, Sons & Co. It was created as a promotional item for Duke Cigarettes and can be found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: You know, right off the bat, I get this immediate sense of nostalgia, that sepia-toned allure of a bygone era. She seems like a flapper just about to be in her time. But that knowing gaze, it's powerful! Curator: Exactly! While this small card is unassuming, it embodies a broader shift in visual culture. Cigarette cards, like this one, were essentially miniature billboards slipped into packs, acting as trade cards. They mark the beginning of image circulation on an industrial scale. Editor: Image as commodity! Fascinating. Looking at Miss Patrice, it’s more than just her being pretty, the details - the soft waves of her hair, the frilly trim of her gown... she really grabs you. But there's this tension, right? Between art and blatant marketing. Curator: That tension is what makes it such a revealing object. Her expression and stylish attire are carefully chosen, reflecting a shift in idealized beauty toward the "New Woman" of the late 19th century. Think about the psychological association at play here, promising allure. Editor: Makes you wonder what Miss Patrice would think about being part of advertising. And it also gets me wondering - did she even get paid? Also, it does makes you want to light one up! Almost… almost! Curator: Almost... though I think the associations would have been very different at the time. Beyond promotion, this also shows a rise in celebrity culture! Even then, cultural continuity comes into sharp view as we consume them now. Editor: Absolutely. Makes you think about Kim K on a vape cartridge. This tiny image packs such a punch; I mean, really encapsulates commerce, celebrity and this ever-changing ideal. I love seeing our stories through these older media, reminding us, really, how consistent we've been all along. Curator: Yes, through Miss Patrice, we see a beautiful dance of industry, image, and identity and it's not a dance that has stopped yet!