Card Number 222, Miss Hall, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This is card number 222, Miss Hall, from the Actors and Actresses series, printed by W. Duke, Sons & Co., to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes. These cards, distributed with cigarette packs, offer us a fascinating glimpse into the commodification of celebrity and gender roles at the turn of the century. "Miss Hall," like other actresses featured, was presented as both a performer and a product. The image showcases her beauty, conforming to societal expectations of femininity of the time. Yet, it also hints at her profession, her independence, and the changing roles of women in public life. These cards tell us as much about the cultural values of the time, as they do about the performers themselves. They raise questions about the representation of women, and the interplay of art, commerce, and identity.