Mrs. James Brown Potter, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-7) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

Curator: Here we have "Mrs. James Brown Potter," a photograph dating back to the 1880s. It's part of the "Actors and Actresses" series by W. Duke, Sons & Co., printed to promote Duke Cigarettes. Editor: My first thought is how intimately the actress engages with us, even through this small card. It's sepia-toned, of course, adding a feeling of faded elegance, but also makes me conscious of its materiality. You can practically feel the paper’s texture. Curator: Absolutely. And consider the subtle layering of meanings here. Mrs. Potter, a well-known actress, is presented as a symbol of sophistication and aspiration, directly linked to the consumer product. Cigarettes are almost elevated by her image. Editor: Exactly! It’s such a clever manipulation of celebrity culture for commercial gain. This wasn't about art for art's sake. The very creation and distribution of this print was tied to mass production, profit margins, and, frankly, manipulating consumer desire. Curator: Think about the deeper societal layers: theatre, commerce, and the emerging culture of celebrity all intersecting. The gesture of her hand seems almost protective, like guarding a secret— perhaps hinting at the hidden world of the actress, now revealed to the cigarette-buying public. Editor: That's fascinating. It makes you think about how different these cards are to, say, a studio portrait intended to last generations. This photograph was disposable by design, mass-produced to be consumed and discarded after use, much like the product it advertised. What was precious becomes ephemeral. Curator: Indeed, the transience and the immediate consumption adds another dimension to how we should view this art piece. It's so telling about cultural values from a particular period in time. Editor: Examining this image prompts reflections on material culture, labor, and how desire and marketing intertwine, making even the most trivial of items carry social information. Curator: From a symbolic level, the piece embodies the spirit of performance. Thank you, that adds yet another dimension for consideration!