Actress wearing green cloth hat, from Stars of the Stage, Fourth Series (N132) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1892 - 1893

This chromolithograph of an actress in costume was made by W. Duke, Sons & Co., sometime between 1870 and 1920, as a promotional card for their Honest Long Cut Tobacco. These cards, collected in series, offer a fascinating glimpse into the cult of celebrity that emerged with the rise of mass media. Consider the social position of actresses during this period. Often admired, yet also stigmatized, they navigated a complex terrain of public adoration and moral scrutiny. This image, with its focus on idealized beauty and theatrical costume, speaks to both the allure and the constructed nature of celebrity. The actress’s coy expression, framed by the elaborate green hat, hints at the performative aspect of identity, especially for women in the public eye. While seemingly innocuous, these cards played a role in shaping cultural ideals of beauty and fame. They remind us to consider the labor and the lives behind these images, and the ways in which personal identity can become a commodity.