Actress wearing elaborate hat with flowers, from Stars of the Stage, Third Series (N131) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1891 - 1892

This lithograph was created around 1888 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as a promotional item for Honest Long Cut Tobacco. The composition is dominated by the actress's elaborate hat, which is adorned with flowers and frills. The artist uses soft, muted tones to create a sense of elegance and refinement. The subject's gaze, directed slightly off to the side, adds a layer of complexity to the work, inviting speculation about her thoughts and emotions. The lithographic technique allows for fine detail, particularly evident in the rendering of the lace and floral elements, which are designed to appeal to the consumer's aesthetic sensibilities. The advertisement functions as a cultural sign, reflecting late 19th-century values of beauty, celebrity, and consumerism, all interconnected through a network of representation and desire. By associating their product with an actress of the stage, the company hoped to imbue their tobacco with the glamour and allure of the performing arts.