Card Number 207, Jessie Dean, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This is Card Number 207, Jessie Dean, an advertisement issued by Duke Sons & Co., printed around the turn of the century, to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes. The image is dominated by the profile of Jessie Dean who is glancing to the left. The monochromatic sepia palette evokes a sense of nostalgia. Note the geometric and linear precision in the card's layout. The text is carefully placed to frame the actress's portrait. The choice of sepia tones flattens the image and emphasizes its two-dimensionality, drawing attention to the card's surface as a constructed space. The structure reflects the commercial intent, the image and text working in tandem to sell a product and an idealized vision of beauty. The card's aesthetic relies on this interplay between illusion and materiality, representation and commerce. This modest card reflects how art participates in broader cultural and economic systems. Its meaning is not fixed; rather, it invites ongoing interpretation in light of shifting cultural values.