Card Number 101, Vernona Jarbeau, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-4) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cameo Cigarettes 1880s

Card Number 101, Vernona Jarbeau, is a promotional image made around the turn of the century by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to advertise Cameo Cigarettes. These cards were collected and traded, reflecting the burgeoning commercialism and celebrity culture of the Gilded Age. Jarbeau, an actress, is depicted in a performative, theatrical costume, which gives an intriguing insight into the construction of femininity and the evolving role of women in entertainment. The image invites a conversation about the male gaze and the commodification of female performers. She is presented as both an object of desire and a symbol of aspiration. The sets and costumes played into the cultural imagination of the time. This card serves as a tiny window into the complex interplay of gender, commerce, and performance in American culture. It encourages us to consider the narratives we construct around identity and how these stories are perpetuated through popular media.