Card Number 394, Nina Smith, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-7) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

This is a card from the Actors and Actresses series, issued by Duke Sons & Co. around the turn of the 20th century to promote Duke Cigarettes. The image presents Nina Smith in a staged pose that's both intimate and public. Consider how the emerging culture of celebrity was being packaged and sold. Tobacco companies like Duke were among the first to capitalize on the popularity of actresses, using their images to promote their products. This card wasn't just about selling cigarettes; it was about selling a lifestyle, an aspiration tied to the glamour of the stage. Understanding this image means looking into the advertising strategies of the time, the biographies of these actresses, and the social mores that governed public images of women. These cards offer a glimpse into the cultural values and the burgeoning consumerism of early 20th century America.