Card Number 551, Lillian Grubb, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-7) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

This is Card Number 551, Lillian Grubb, from the Actors and Actresses series, made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. These cards were a form of advertisement included with cigarette packs, reflecting the Victorian era's fascination with celebrity and consumer culture. But let's think about the women depicted here, like Lillian Grubb, were performers whose livelihoods depended on public image and fleeting fame. How did these images shape perceptions of femininity and success? The male gaze is palpable. These cards offered a glimpse into the lives of actresses, yet they also commodified their images for the consumption of predominantly male smokers. While ostensibly celebrating actresses, these cards also serve as a reminder of the limited roles available to women in the late 19th century. Lillian Grubb exists here as both a person and a product, her identity intertwined with the marketing of Duke Cigarettes.