May Waldron, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1890 - 1895

This is a promotional card of May Waldron, an actress, made around 1870 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. Notice the cameo, a popular motif in this period, a symbol of classical beauty and refinement. The cameo has ancient roots, appearing first in Hellenistic Greece and then in Rome, where they depicted gods, emperors, and mythological scenes. Over centuries, these cameos have moved across time and cultures, each era reimagining them. The image is also a marker of status, linking Waldron to the cultured elites, who appreciate artistry and history. These images tap into our collective memory, evoking a sense of timeless beauty and tradition. It's a beautiful chain reaction, where each era reinterprets and reuses the signs of the past.