Card Number 519, May Belle Raymond, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-7) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

This card, printed by W. Duke, Sons & Co. between 1870 and 1920, features actress May Belle Raymond, and was distributed to promote Duke Cigarettes. The photographic image is printed on a small card, using industrial processes of mass production. The card's material and method of creation are deeply connected to turn-of-the-century capitalism, and in particular the rise of consumer culture. Cigarette cards like these were a clever marketing tool, designed to be collected and traded, thus encouraging repeat purchases. The relatively low cost of these cards meant that companies could reach a broad audience, helping to shape popular tastes and desires. The card also hints at the changing status of actors and actresses during this period. By featuring performers like May Belle Raymond, tobacco companies were associating their products with the glamour and excitement of the theater. This convergence of entertainment and advertising reflects the growing importance of image and celebrity in the modern world. Ultimately, this card reminds us that even the most seemingly trivial objects can offer insights into the social, economic, and cultural forces that shape our lives.