Card Number 60, Annie Pixley, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This is card number 60, Annie Pixley, from the Actors and Actresses series, made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. around the turn of the 20th century to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes. These cards were printed using photolithography, a process that allowed for mass production of images on a small scale. The card depicts Annie Pixley, a popular actress of the time, holding an umbrella with the brand name displayed prominently. Notice the cross-hatching in the printing, which gives the image depth, yet also a certain flatness. This was how manufacturers grabbed consumer attention. The card is printed on thin paper stock, reflecting its disposable nature as a promotional item. It's a small, humble object, but it speaks volumes about the intersection of celebrity culture, consumerism, and industrial production at the time. Cigarette cards like these were collected and traded, becoming a part of everyday life. By examining the materials and techniques used to create this card, we can gain insight into the social and economic forces that shaped its production and consumption. It encourages us to reflect on the relationship between art, commerce, and popular culture, and to see value in the overlooked objects of everyday life.