Card Number 15, Miss Southerland, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-6) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

This card, "Miss Southerland," was printed by W. Duke, Sons & Co., sometime between 1870 and 1920, as a promotional item tucked into packs of Duke Cigarettes. It’s made of paper, a humble material made precious by the image printed on it. Consider the industrial processes involved in its production. Paper manufacture, printing, and distribution - all part of the burgeoning consumer culture of the late 19th century. The sepia tone, achieved through mass printing, gives the image a sense of nostalgia, despite its origins in advertising. The card's small size speaks to its intended use: a collectible item, easily pocketed and traded. The very act of mass-producing and distributing these cards alongside cigarettes reveals a shift in how art and commerce were intertwined. It raises questions about labor, consumption, and the blurring lines between fine art and everyday life. This little card isn't just a picture; it's a window into a world where art became a commodity, a means to sell a product, and a reflection of societal values.