Blonde actress wearing white fur collar, from Stars of the Stage, Third Series (N131) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1891 - 1892

This is a promotional card of a blonde actress wearing a white fur collar, created around 1888 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco. Produced during the height of the tobacco industry's use of trade cards, this image participates in a larger cultural phenomenon of the era, where advertising intertwined with entertainment and idealized images of women. The actress, adorned in fur and a pearl necklace, embodies an aspirational vision of femininity and success marketed to consumers. We see a representation of beauty that equates to commodity, blurring the lines between personal identity, celebrity culture, and consumerism. The emotional allure of fame is harnessed to sell tobacco, highlighting the persuasive power of advertising. As we consider the actress's confident gaze and the opulence of her attire, we can reflect on how these cards promoted certain standards of beauty and success, and how they reflect society's values.