Laura Burt as a Lady of France of 1794-1800, from the set Actors and Actresses, Second Series (N71) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888 - 1890

This small chromolithograph was produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as a cigarette card. It depicts the actress Laura Burt dressed as a lady of France during the late 1790s. These cards were a marketing tool, inserted in cigarette packs to stiffen them and encourage collecting. This one is from a series depicting actors and actresses, reflecting the growing popularity of the stage and celebrity culture in the United States at the turn of the century. The choice of a French aristocratic subject speaks to the fascination with European high society, even as the card was targeted towards a mass market. Consider the institutions at play here: the tobacco industry, the entertainment business, and the emerging advertising industry. The image creates meaning through its combination of portraiture, theatrical costume, and commercial branding. We might ask: how did these cards shape perceptions of beauty, status, and national identity? Further research into advertising history, popular culture, and the biographies of actors like Laura Burt would help us better understand the role of images like this in shaping social attitudes.