Card Number 94, Fanny Rice, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This is a promotional card from around 1870 to 1920 made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. for Cross Cut Cigarettes. In it, actress Fanny Rice reclines in a gown, gazing into a triangular mirror. These cards, distributed with cigarette packs, offer a glimpse into the cultural values of the time. Rice, a celebrated performer, is carefully posed, embodying ideals of feminine beauty and grace. The advertisement reflects a society where the consumption of tobacco was being intertwined with aspirations of sophistication and celebrity culture. Consider how such images shaped perceptions of women and their roles. Actresses like Rice occupied a unique position, both admired and scrutinized by a public eager for entertainment and novelty. The card invites reflection on the dynamics of fame, consumerism, and the construction of identity in the late 19th century. It reminds us of the complex relationship between art, commerce, and the shaping of societal norms.