Card Number 225, Miss Muguel, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This is Card Number 225, Miss Muguel, a photographic print issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes. The card is made using mass production techniques of photography and printing, reflective of the growth of consumer culture at the time. The sepia tone lends it an air of nostalgia, but it was likely a cost-effective choice for mass production. The card's small size allowed it to be included in cigarette packs, making it a portable and collectible item. This speaks to the industrialization of leisure and the commodification of culture; the company was packaging glamour and aspiration for the masses. While it appears straightforward, its creation involved factory work, image reproduction, and distribution networks, all tied to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. By examining the materials, making, and context, we can understand how this seemingly simple card reflects broader shifts in society and the intertwining of art, commerce, and everyday life.