Card Number 117, Louise Dempsey, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This small card from the late 19th century, issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co., promotes Cross Cut Cigarettes. The image features Louise Dempsey, an actress of the time, and is part of a series that linked popular entertainment with consumer culture. Consider the politics of this imagery. Cigarette cards like these were inserted into packs as a marketing strategy, using images of actresses to appeal to consumers, predominantly men. These cards not only advertised a product but also contributed to the cult of celebrity that was emerging at this time. Think about the role of tobacco companies in shaping social norms around smoking, especially how they targeted different demographics through advertising. To fully understand the card, we would need to consult archives of advertising history, theatre ephemera, and social histories of consumption. Understanding such historical and cultural contexts, helps us recognize how art is embedded in broader networks of power, commerce, and representation.