Card Number 103, Louise Pauline, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-4) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cameo Cigarettes 1880s

This card was made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. around the turn of the century as an advertisement for Cameo Cigarettes. It features Louise Pauline, an actress who would have been recognizable to consumers at the time. These cards were part of a larger cultural phenomenon, as companies realized the marketing potential of associating their products with popular figures, but also of creating collectibles that might encourage repeat purchases. The cards themselves became objects of widespread collection and trade, reflecting the rise of consumer culture and new forms of celebrity in America. To understand this image more deeply, one might research the history of tobacco advertising, the rise of celebrity culture, and the collecting craze of the late 19th century. These resources help us see how art is always entangled with broader social and economic forces.