[Actress wearing dark cloth cap], from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1890 - 1895

This photographic print of an actress in a dark cloth cap was created by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as part of a series promoting Duke Cigarettes. Far from being a high art object, this card was a mass-produced collectible, designed to be included in cigarette packs. The sepia tones of the print give it an antique feel, yet the photographic process itself was cutting-edge for its time, relying on industrial production for its widespread distribution. Consider the labor involved in producing these cards: from the cultivation of tobacco, to the photography and printing, to the factory workers assembling the cigarette packs. The card’s small size and delicate paper stock speaks to its disposability, designed for fleeting enjoyment and then, most likely, to be discarded. Yet, here it is, a century later, preserved in a museum, prompting us to reflect on the relationship between commerce, celebrity, and the enduring power of the photographic image. It reminds us that even the most ephemeral objects can offer insights into the social and economic forces that shaped their creation.