Card Number 32, Mrs. Langtry, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This card, No. 32 in a series of actors and actresses, was made by W. Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross-Cut Cigarettes, sometime between 1870 and 1920. These cards were not just advertisements; they were cultural artifacts, reflecting the social values and celebrity culture of the time. The image of Mrs. Langtry, a well-known actress, connects the product with glamour and sophistication, subtly suggesting that smoking these cigarettes could elevate the consumer's social status. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, tobacco companies used imagery to cultivate a specific lifestyle around their products, targeting different demographics with tailored cards. Understanding these images requires us to consider not only the artistic choices but also the economic and social context in which they were produced and consumed. Resources such as company archives, period newspapers, and social histories can provide deeper insights into the meanings and intentions behind these seemingly simple cards. Ultimately, these images reveal much about the public role of art in shaping desires and reinforcing social norms.