Card Number 150, Lizzie Evans, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This small card featuring Lizzie Evans comes from a series of promotional cards for Cross Cut Cigarettes, produced by Duke Sons & Co. These cards, popular in the late 19th century, reflect a culture deeply entwined with both burgeoning consumerism and rigid social norms. Actresses like Lizzie Evans, became early celebrities, their images mass-produced and circulated. Consider the implications of a woman’s likeness being used to sell a product, particularly in an era where women’s roles were narrowly defined. It’s a moment where the commodification of image meets the constraints of gender. The actress's gaze seems to invite us to think about the complex layers of identity, performance, and commercialism, all packaged into a collectible card. It captures a moment in time, full of contradictions and complex interactions.