Card Number 112, Clara Ellison, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

Card Number 112, Clara Ellison, made by W. Duke, Sons & Co., is a small, rectangular card with a sepia-toned photograph, typical of cigarette cards from this era. The muted palette and soft focus give the image a nostalgic feel. The composition is divided into zones. The top advertises "Cross Cut Cigarettes ARE THE BEST", while the lower features the actress's name and card number. The main visual element is the portrait of Clara Ellison. The photograph is composed with the subject gazing slightly off-center, creating a sense of depth and narrative intrigue. Her attire, a lavish fur stole and embellished gown, speaks to the performative nature of her profession. The texture of the fur contrasts with the smoother tones of her face, adding visual interest. The card presents Ellison not just as an individual but as a carefully constructed image for mass consumption, reflecting how commercial and cultural values intertwine. This interplay reveals the complex relationship between art, advertising, and identity in late 19th-century culture. It challenges our understanding of representation as a multi-layered process.