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

Editor: Here we have a portrait card, “Miss Benn, from the Actors and Actresses series” made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. sometime between 1890 and 1895. It has this antiquated sepia tone from its photographic print process. What is there to know about an image like this, beyond the surface? Curator: More than meets the eye! Think of this image as a layered symbol. It's not just about Miss Benn; it’s about constructing identity and projecting an image in the late 19th century. Notice her dress and pose: rigid and controlled. What emotions do these stylistic choices elicit? Editor: Restraint and composure, maybe? A very controlled femininity, like a fashion plate or doll in a display box? Curator: Precisely! And what about the tambourine in her hand? A hint of exoticism and maybe even rebellion for the contemporary viewer of this piece. Duke, Sons & Co. employed japonisme style as it evokes popular fantasy with an added commercial layer. It speaks volumes about desires of the time. This image subtly suggests adventure and sensuality while firmly maintaining a veneer of respectability, essential for mass consumption. Editor: So it’s carefully managing her persona? How do advertisements change the idea of fame? Curator: It’s less about authentic fame and more about crafted image. The very act of circulating her image alongside cigarettes says volumes about consumer culture shaping identities. It anticipates modern celebrity culture, using carefully chosen images to shape narratives and sell dreams. Editor: Fascinating. It really speaks to how constructed even "candid" images are! It makes you wonder about what the image leaves out about the person's authentic self. Curator: Indeed. We reveal ourselves through careful disguise, which carries the same resonance today as it did 130 years ago.