Card Number 350, Dora Lee, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-3) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This is Card Number 350, Dora Lee, from the Actors and Actresses series, created by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes. These cards emerged from a cultural moment in the late 19th century when advertising began to weave itself into the fabric of daily life. Here, Dora Lee is captured in the garb of a performer, likely a stage costume, which offers a window into the world of entertainment and celebrity of the time. These cards provided a visual connection to performers for the public, but it also speaks volumes about how women were represented and consumed within popular culture. The performative nature of her presentation raises questions about the dynamics of gender, spectacle, and commodification. While seemingly a simple advertisement, this card is a layered artifact, reflecting the complex interplay of identity, entertainment, and consumerism in a rapidly changing society. It prompts us to consider who Dora Lee was beyond this image and how her representation intersects with broader societal norms and expectations.