Gracie Sherwood in Colors of the Paris Yacht Club, from the Yacht Colors of the World series (N140) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1890

This is "Gracie Sherwood in Colors of the Paris Yacht Club," a promotional trading card issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. in the late 19th century. These cards were a marketing strategy to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco. But it’s also a snapshot of the era's cultural values and the commodification of identity. Gracie Sherwood, adorned in the colors of the Paris Yacht Club, represents a vision of femininity and leisure, tailored to appeal to consumers. The symbol of the yacht club and Gracie's fashionable attire speak to the aspirations of the emerging middle class, seeking to emulate the lifestyles of the elite. These cards reflect the intertwined histories of advertising, gender, and class in shaping popular culture. They offer a glimpse into the complex ways in which identity was constructed and marketed during this period of rapid social and economic change. They remind us of the power of images to shape our perceptions of ourselves and the world around us.