Card Number 193, Morris and Farrell, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

W. Duke, Sons & Co. made this promotional card for Cross Cut Cigarettes sometime between 1870 and 1920. Part of a series featuring actors and actresses, this card depicts the theatrical duo of Morris and Farrell. These cards were designed to stiffen cigarette packs, becoming wildly popular collectibles. Their existence speaks volumes about the cultural norms of the time, particularly concerning gender and performance. Morris and Farrell, likely playing characters in a theatrical production, present a study in contrasts. One appears in what might be considered domestic garb, while the other is adorned in what seems to be a masculine costume of a cape and wide brimmed hat. The card offers an intriguing glimpse into the representation of gender roles on stage and in popular culture. In a way, the image anticipates some of the questions about identity and performance that preoccupy us today. While it was created to sell cigarettes, it now serves as a potent reminder of how identities are constructed and consumed.