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

This card featuring Mlle. Daireaux is from the Actors and Actresses series, created by W. Duke, Sons & Co. around the turn of the 20th century to promote Duke Cigarettes. These cards were a common marketing tactic, capitalizing on the burgeoning celebrity culture and the public’s fascination with performers. Consider how gender and class intersect here; actresses like Mlle. Daireaux gained visibility through these cards, yet their images were simultaneously commodified to sell tobacco products. The image itself, sepia-toned and petite, speaks to the era’s aesthetic. Daireaux’s fashionable attire and poised stance reflect the constructed image of femininity prevalent at the time, while her profession as an actress suggests a more independent and unconventional path for a woman. This seemingly simple card encapsulates complex dynamics of identity, representation, and commerce in a rapidly changing society.