Amelia Glover, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1890 - 1895

This small promotional card for Duke Cigarettes features actress Amelia Glover, and was created around 1900 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. The sepia-toned photograph presents Glover in soft focus, typical of the period, which gives the image a dreamy, ethereal quality. The composition is simple yet carefully arranged. Glover is positioned centrally, adorned with a sash of foliage that diagonally crosses her torso, creating a dynamic yet balanced visual. The card's structure is noteworthy. The photographic image is contained within a rigid rectangular format, a stark contrast to the organic and flowing lines of the floral sash and Glover's soft features. This contrast emphasizes the artificiality inherent in both the medium of photography and the constructed image of celebrity. The rigid frame suggests a deliberate attempt to contain and commodify Glover's image, transforming her into a product for consumption. The card functions as both a portrait and a commodity, illustrating how cultural values can be embedded in the formal qualities of an image.