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

This tiny photograph of M'lle Geraldine comes from a series of actors and actresses produced around 1888 by Duke Sons & Co. to promote their Duke Cigarettes. These cards offer a fascinating glimpse into the marketing strategies of the late 19th century. Tobacco companies were eager to associate their products with glamour and celebrity. By including images of popular performers, like M'lle Geraldine, they hoped to attract new customers and elevate the status of their brand. Notice the careful attention to her attire and the staging of the photograph; these were visual cues designed to appeal to a specific audience. These cards were also a form of early advertising that was distributed widely, so we can consider how these kinds of images helped to shape public perceptions of gender and performance. The study of these kinds of images involves looking into archives of commercial ephemera and theater history to understand the nature of celebrity at the time.