Card Number 205, Blanche Roosevelt, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-1) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This small card, made around 1890 by W. Duke Sons & Co., features Blanche Roosevelt, an actress, singer, and author, as part of a series promoting Cross Cut Cigarettes. These cards were a marketing strategy to boost sales, targeting a broad audience through the allure of celebrity. The image itself presents Roosevelt in a way that reinforces the cultural norms of the time, emphasizing her beauty and elegance through her dress and pose. In the late 19th century, the theater world was gaining popularity, and actors and actresses were becoming influential figures, their images circulated through various media. Understanding this image requires a deep dive into the cultural and economic landscape of the late 19th century, including the history of advertising and the evolving role of women in the public eye. By exploring these contexts, we can better understand how art and commerce intertwine to shape social values.