Card Number 77, Loi Fuller, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

Card Number 77, Loi Fuller, is a promotional token from the Actors and Actresses series made by Duke Sons & Co. This small sepia-toned card presents Loi Fuller, an actress, and dancer, in what appears to be a theatrical pose. Fuller's figure, positioned centrally, is striking. The composition is divided into three horizontal layers: the stage, the figure, and the advertising text at the top right. The background is blurred, drawing us to the figure. The image is carefully constructed to sell cigarettes and to signify ideas of femininity. The use of a theatrical figure creates a semiotic system of signs. This small card reflects broader cultural codes around commerce, entertainment, and gender. Ultimately, this commercial card functions on multiple levels; its sepia tones aesthetically appeal to consumers while embedding cultural and gendered messages within its visual structure.