Edna Wallace Hopper, from the Actresses series (T1), distributed by the American Tobacco Co. to promote Turkish Trophies Cigarettes 1900

Frederick Spiegle created this lithograph of Edna Wallace Hopper as part of the Actresses series, distributed by the American Tobacco Company to promote Turkish Trophies Cigarettes. These cards reflect a moment when advertising began to capitalize on the burgeoning cult of celebrity. Hopper, a popular stage actress, embodies the Edwardian ideal of feminine beauty. Her opulent pink gown, her coy smile, and her graceful pose invite the viewer into a world of glamour and sophistication. But the card also reveals tensions inherent in the representation of women at the turn of the century. Hopper’s image, while celebrating her individual success, is ultimately used to sell a product, reducing her to a mere commodity. The allusion to Turkish culture adds another layer of complexity. The card invites us to consider the relationship between entertainment, consumerism, and cultural appropriation in shaping perceptions of identity and desire. It’s a small but potent reminder of the complex forces that shape our understanding of beauty and success.