Miss Lillis, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-7) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

This is a promotional trade card for Duke Cigarettes, made around 1900 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. It features an image of Miss Lillis, a performer of the day, captured through photographic and printing processes. The card’s sepia tone and compact size speak to its origins in mass production. These cards were churned out in vast quantities, included in cigarette packs to stiffen them, but also to entice consumers. Here, the techniques of image reproduction are directly linked to the aggressive expansion of the tobacco industry. What is most interesting is the transaction that it implies: the tacit alignment of glamour and celebrity with a highly addictive product. In this context, the card is far more than a simple picture. It is an artifact deeply embedded in the social and economic fabric of its time. So, the next time you see a small card like this, remember that even seemingly insignificant objects can tell big stories about labor, politics, and consumption.