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

This is a promotional cigarette card of Julia Arthur, an Anglo-Canadian actress, produced by Duke Sons & Co. During the late 19th century, tobacco companies used such cards to stiffen cigarette packs and boost sales. These cards often featured actresses, athletes, and other figures of the time. In this image, Arthur is posed in what appears to be a theatrical costume, with an ambiguous, faraway gaze. As a celebrated actress, Julia Arthur navigated the complex dynamics of gender and fame in a rapidly changing society. Actresses like Arthur challenged and reinforced conventional gender roles, becoming public figures and cultural icons. This card reflects the commercialization of celebrity and the evolving relationship between performance, identity, and consumer culture. It serves as a window into the past, revealing how images of women were circulated and consumed.