Card Number 203, Miss Dempsey, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-7) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

Editor: Here we have “Card Number 203, Miss Dempsey,” created in the 1880s by W. Duke, Sons & Co. It’s a rather striking image, seemingly a photograph, that almost feels like a glimpse into a burlesque show, but also it is promoting Duke Cigarettes... so it leaves me puzzled! What strikes you when you look at it? Curator: You know, it's funny, the Victorians were masters of using advertising in ways that we’d now consider…provocative? Maybe even scandalous! But I wouldn't want to look at this card as mere tobacco propaganda. Think about it: photography was fairly new, and celebrity was on the rise. Miss Dempsey probably was a "star," of sorts. A small, pocket-sized icon! What do you see in her pose, in the lighting? Anything hinting at a mood, a deeper message? Editor: Well, the way she's positioned, arms outstretched, almost looks like she’s on a stage, and she looks quite self-assured. But the soft focus and sepia tones give it this dreamy, almost unreal quality. Is it meant to evoke a sense of fantasy or luxury perhaps, to connect with cigarettes? Curator: Absolutely! And consider that women, especially performers, were breaking boundaries. This card becomes a fascinating snapshot of changing societal views and daring self-promotion. Imagine the discussions – or hushed whispers! – this little card stirred up back then! Does thinking about the context change your perspective? Editor: It does! It transforms the image from a simple advertisement into a cultural artifact. I initially missed that subtle power dynamic at play here. Curator: Exactly! That tension between propriety and a hint of rebellion is the art of it, isn’t it? Now I'm suddenly tempted for a cigarette, or at least a cup of coffee… let's move to the next piece!