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

Editor: This is "Minnie Seligman," a portrait from the Actors and Actresses series, printed between 1890 and 1895 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. It's an albumen print, quite sepia-toned. She looks dreamy, almost gazing into the future. I'm curious – what pulls you in when you look at this piece? Curator: Ah, yes, Minnie! These were the Instagram of their day, weren't they? Every cigarette pack, a little window into another world. And look at that upward gaze – so much optimism baked into tobacco promotion. I find myself wondering what Miss Seligman really dreamt of, starring in these miniature dramas… Did she see herself as a muse? Editor: That's a fantastic point about her dreams, her inner life! Curator: Think of all the untold stories tucked away within these photographs, Emily. The fleeting expressions captured forever, pinned down like butterflies. This photograph—a little ghost of a moment— it reminds us that fame is fleeting and whispers into smoke. Isn’t there a funny sort of irony? These cards sought to solidify celebrity, yet time and nicotine have faded them. What do you make of that tiny feather sticking up from her coiffure, dear? Editor: Well, I see your point and to me it symbolizes just a flair for theatrics... or an attention-grabbing element... Curator: Indeed! Attention and advertisement. Both crucial and yet perhaps a bit cynical. So what did you think you would tell your friends about dear Miss Minnie here? Editor: That behind every advertisement, every perfect image, there's a real person with their own dreams. That’s certainly stuck with me. Curator: To dreams both realized and dreamt— I will add the little paper advertisement, if you look at it a little closer, seems also the carrier of dreams - or not.